Seven APs interdicted over murder of taxi operators in Kawangware

By Cyrus Ombati and Isaiah Lucheli

Seven Administration Police officers who participated in the killing of seven taxi drivers in Nairobi’s Kawangware have been interdicted and arrested.

The officers will help police to establish the circumstances, in which the taxi operators died, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said yesterday.

Saitoti said inquest files on the incident have been opened and urged witnesses to submit evidence.

Saitoti, who addressed a press conference in his office, insisted the drivers were killed when police intervened in a clash between them and boda boda operators over business rivalry.

Bizarre Shootings

The minister clashed with his public health counterpart Beth Mugo who was present when he gave the chronology of the bizarre shootings, announcing machetes and iron bars were recovered from the scene.

Mugo intervened saying Saitoti had been given wrong information with regard to the incident. She termed as cold blooded, the killing of the drivers saying they were well known to the local police.

"What you have been given is a fabrication and I call it cold blood murder. We want those responsible for this be apprehended and charged in court," said a visibly angry Mugo.

On his part, Saitoti promised fair investigations into the incident revealing two motorcycles were recovered from the scene.

He said the incident happened when police intervened in a clash between motorcycle and taxi operators over customers.

Self Defence

"The officers were forced to use their firearms in self defence. The mob eventually dispersed but unfortunately seven people were fatally injured."

Yesterday, AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua, Deputy Commissioner of Police Francis Okonya, and Nairobi PC Njoroge Ndirangu accompanied Saitoti.

Meanwhile taxi operators in Kawangware recalled how their efforts to seek Administration Police intervention in a row between them and bicycle taxi operators turned tragic.

The chairman of the Taxi Association John Wanyoike said they were opposed to the invasion of boda boda operators.