IPOA wants prosecution of police officer who shot Meru University student

Meru University Students Organization Secretary General Evans Njoroge who was allegedly killed by a police officer during students protests. [Photo/File]

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) wants a policeman accused of killing a Meru University student last month charged with murder.

The authority said it had already handed the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions a file identifying the officer.

The policeman is said to have shot Evans Njoroge (pictured) dead on February 27, during demonstrations by students over the university’s plan to increase school fees.

“On Friday, March 16, 2018, IPOA finalised investigations into the matter and forwarded the file to the ODPP for review and direction,” said IPOA’s Head of Communications and Outreach Danson Oketch yesterday.

VC's suspension

Mr Njoroge's killing led to the suspension of Vice Chancellor Japtheth Magambo by Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

Sources said IPOA wants the officer charged, especially because he was identified by many witnesses.

After investigations, the authority concluded that Njoroge was murdered in cold blood. A postmortem showed he was shot in the head at close range.

“The officer was found culpable because it was clear he was in close proximity with the student and could easily have apprehended him without necessarily injuring him,” said the source.