Officers sued for killing protester to remain in cell

The current chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Ahmed Issack Hassan. June 9, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Seven police officers implicated in the killing of a protester in Nakuru on June 9 will be detained for seven more days.

This will allow the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to conclude investigation into the circumstances that led to the shooting of Daniel Mwangi.

The Director of Public Prosecution yesterday told a Nakuru court blood samples from the deceased and from the bullet had been taken to the Government Chemist for analysis.

A bullet retrieved from Mwangi's chest has also been forwarded to the ballistic unit for examination.

Sergeant Nicasio Njue, corporals Eric Mwangi and John Kihara, and constables Naftali Gitonga, Ephantus Njeru, Marceler Tanui and Isaac Anampiu are accused of killing Mwangi in London Estate. While asking to hold the officers for 14 days, the prosecution further submitted that they were yet to trace and record statements from key witnesses.

The court also heard that the shooting elicited a lot of public anger. "The safety and the security of the suspects cannot be guaranteed if they are released on bond because residents within the London estate are angry with them," the prosecution told the court.

However, Senior Resident Magistrate Cynthia Muhoro noted that the accused had been in custody for seven days, and ordered that they be held at the Menengai Police Station for a week.

In opposing the continued detention of the suspects, the defence accused the prosecution of abusing the court process, arguing that the seven were not a flight risk.

The case will be mentioned on June 24. In a separate matter, the court allowed the detention of a Ugandan who went viral in social media threatening police officers and the public with a machete during the protests following the killing of Mwangi.

Principal Magistrate Christine Menya allowed Hassan Miti Mkavu alias Paul Oriti to be detained for 10 days as police investigated him for allegedly creating disturbance, among other six charges.

Mkavu was arrested on June 11 in London Estate after he was identified by irate citizens.

The man is also suspected to have committed other criminal offences, including damage to property and robbery with violence.

"Forensic certification of the footage identifying the suspect is onging. He is also being investigated for six other offences," said Sergeant Geoffrey Ngaira.

The prosecution also seeks to record statements from witnesses, obtain certified medical documents from injured complainants and allow the suspect time to recover from assault. The case comes up on June 23

At the same time, the court has allowed the police to continue detaining a taxi driver suspected of killing his wife for seven more days.

Zachariah Wanjohi is alleged to have killed Hannah Waithera, whose body was found on May 26. His case will be mentioned on June 24.