DPP Keriako Tobiko orders action on police linked to execution of five youth

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has ordered investigations and further action against police officers who were involved in last April's execution of five youths in Nyeri County.

Tobiko instructed the officer in charge of prosecutions in Nyeri region, Mr Job Kaigai, to take action in the matter and take into consideration aspects that fall under the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA).

In a letter dated June 13, the Head of Complaints and Compliments Unit Mary Mwenje noted: "I have instructions on behalf of the DPP to forward the same to you for your action, as the matter falls in your jurisdiction, even as you consider which aspects will need to be handled by IPOA."

The letter also directed Dr Peter Kiama, the executive director of Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), to follow up the matter with the Nyeri County DPP's office.

The directive follows a letter dated May 20, in which IMLU complained to Tobiko over the extra-judicial killing of the five youth. "We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 20, 2014. Kindly follow up the matter with our Nyeri County office. You may also want to liaise with IPOA," it read in part.

According to IMLU's complaint, the youths were executed by regular and Administration Police officers on the night of April 16.

The bodies of the youth, among them a woman, were on April 17 found in Tagwa section of Mt Kenya forest, in Kieni East Sub-County. Four bodies of the male victims had gunshot wounds and some with severed body parts, while the woman's was dangling from a tree.

Witnesses said four male victims were picked up by police in a Land Rover at a bar in Ruring'u area, before they were taken to Nyeri Central Police Station. The woman reportedly went to the station to secure the release of her boyfriend, who was among the suspects, but her body was later found in the forest.

But Nyeri County Police Commander Agnes Lihabi and Nyeri Central OCPD Adiel Nyange distanced the police from the accusations, saying none of the deceased was recorded in the Occurrence Book that night.