Police inspector in custody over former MP son’s killing

By Cyrus Ombati

A policeman linked to the fatal shooting of the son of a former MP will undergo a mental check-up before he is arraigned to court to face murder charges.

Detectives said yesterday this would ascertain the suspect’s mental status when he pulled the trigger on the son of the former Gatundu North MP Patrick Kariuki Muiruri after a feud in a bar.

The investigators have visited a club where the deceased and his friends were with the officer and recorded statements from staff.

The police inspector accused of killing Mr James Ng’ang’a, 29, appeared remorseful on Monday at Gigiri Police Station where he is held.

He reportedly told his superiors that he did not intend to kill Ng’ang’a and claimed all he wanted was to ‘discipline’ the deceased after the quarrel in the bar.

The officer, his friends and those of Ng’ang’a had been drinking at a bar in Westlands when an argument broke out on Saturday morning. The management intervened and threw them out.

It was as they left in a convoy that the officer intercepted Ng’ang’a’s car, prompting an argument.

He tried to handcuff Ng’ang’a but he resisted prompting the inspector to shoot him in the head and chest, police and witnesses said.

The officer was arrested after he drove from Westlands to Buru Buru Police Station and reported that he had killed a robber.

Gigiri OCPD David Kerina said on Monday police were investigating the incident before they charge the suspect.

"It is still early for him to appear in court because investigators are still on the ground," said Kerina.

Muiruri mourned his son, saying his life had been shattered. He said Ng’ang’a had secured a good job at the UN.