Ipoa details how officer shot and killed a man

Police Constable Ephantus Njeru, when he appeared before Justice Julius Nangea at the High Court in Nakuru on June 24, 2025. [Daniel Chege, Standard] 

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has laid bare how Police Constable Ephantus Njeru allegedly shot and killed Daniel Mwangi, a resident of London Estate in Nakuru County.

Through its investigating officer Leah Munene, Ipoa on Thursday filed an affidavit urging the court to deny Njeru bail.

The affidavit was tabled before Justice Julius Nangea after Njeru denied the murder charge.

Ipoa claimed Njeru shot and killed Mwangi on June 9, 2025, at the Nakuru estate during a protest.

According to Ms Munene, Njeru is an undercover police officer and he, together with nine other officers, arrested three members of the public on the said date on suspicion they were bhang peddlers.

She said one of the apprehended persons resisted arrest as the reason for his detention was not clear to him.

“The arrested persons were also complaining of being mishandled by the officers. The same drew the attention of the public who questioned and protested the actions of the police,” Munene submitted.

She told the judge that Njeru opened fire at the crowd that had gathered and shot Mwangi, an innocent by-stander, fatally wounding him.

Munene said investigation by Ipoa revealed overwhelming evidence sufficient to support the charge of murder.

In opposition to bail release, Ipoa noted that Njeru was well trained in the use of reasonable force, safe use of guns and keeping public order.

“His actions on the day of the incident indicate a pre-meditation on his part towards the unarmed deceased person,” she submitted.

Ipoa submitted that, for fear of being jailed for life, Njeru could abscond the court if released on bail.

Munene added that Njeru, being a serving police officer, had all powers and privileges of office, including official access to and use of firearms.

She said that four key witnesses of the fatal shooting have variously received threats and intimidation from persons suspected to be the Njeru’s agents and proxies.

Judge Nangea ordered that Njeru be remanded at Nakuru GK Prison, pending the bail ruling on July 1.