Questions have emerged over the death of Antony Ochieng Otieno after a video showing his encounter with police officers circulated widely on social media, with members of the public demanding clarity on what happened before his death in the Githurai area of Nairobi.

The case has attracted public attention because competing accounts have emerged, with some people alleging that Ochieng had been arrested by police before his death while authorities maintain that he sustained fatal injuries in a road crash during a police pursuit.

According to Citizen Digital, the incident happened on Sunday night at about 8:30pm in the Sonic area of Kasarani, where police officers reportedly intercepted a Mazda CX-5, registration number KDZ 099B, carrying five men.

Police said the occupants were suspected of dealing in stolen electronics and had allegedly been seen offloading goods at a second-hand shop before they noticed the officers and sped away.

Citizen Digital reported that Ochieng, identified as the driver, allegedly lost control of the vehicle during the chase, causing it to hit an electricity pole before plunging into a ditch.

He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the police account reported by Citizen Digital.

The Star also reported on September 24 that Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud disputed claims that Ochieng was beaten by officers, maintaining that his injuries resulted from the crash.

“I don't think there was anyone who beat him as claimed,” Mohamud said, according to The Star, adding that investigations and a postmortem would help establish what happened.

However, the police explanation has not ended the controversy surrounding Ochieng's death.

Tuko News reported that Ochieng's death sparked public backlash after claims circulated that he had been arrested by officers from Kasarani Police Station before he died.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and activists have also called for accountability and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, according to Tuko News.

The allegations have gained further attention because a video circulating online appears to show Ochieng being arrested by police officers. However, the video alone does not establish what happened between the alleged arrest and the fatal crash, making the ongoing investigation significant.

Police have said that a postmortem examination will help establish the precise cause of death and guide further action.

Meanwhile, detectives reportedly recovered several electronic goods during investigations at the crash scene and a nearby second-hand shop, including televisions, home theatre systems, laptops and mobile phones, according to Citizen Digital and The Star.

The two reports said police were also investigating whether some of the recovered electronics were linked to previously reported theft cases.

The case could also fall within the mandate of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) if evidence establishes that the death resulted from police action. IPOA states that it investigates deaths and serious injuries arising from police action and deaths occurring in police custody.

For now, the circumstances surrounding Antony Ochieng's final moments remain the subject of competing accounts. The postmortem examination, investigation of the crash scene and any available video or witness evidence will be important in establishing the sequence of events and determining whether any wrongdoing occurred.