Police officer handed 30 years in jail for killing politician over beer

A police officer who shot and killed a politician in Kiambu for refusing to buy him beer has been jailed for 30 years.

Justice Mary Kasango found Edward Munjalu, an officer based at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters, guilty of the murder of William Mwangi Kimani on August 27, 2017, at Club U-Turn in Limuru town.

"The accused person went against the law when he shot and killed Kimani without being provoked and the court finds that the appropriate sentence is 30 years in jail. He was a serving police officer who should have protected the deceased," ruled Kasango.

The prosecution told the court that Munjalu shot Kimani seven times in the chest after the victim refused to buy him a beer.

Justice Kasango said the conviction and sentencing should act as a deterrent to other police officers who are trigger-happy. who end up killing innocent civilians.

"The prison authority shall give the convict a credit of three years and 10 months, which is the period of time he has been in custody awaiting the completion of his trial," said the judge.

The prosecution called 14 witnesses to testify against the officer. On July 28, 2022, the court found Munjalu had a case to answer as there was enough evidence connecting him to Kimani's killings.

Kimani, who at the time was aged 32, was shot dead inside his car as he drove away after spending time at the club. The victim has drinking and watching football matches with friends at the club, according to evidence presented in court.

Before the shooting, there had been a scuffle after Kimani refused to buy the police officer alcohol. This prompted the club's security officials to intervene and ejected Munjalu.

Evidence presented in court showed that the officer approached Kimani's vehicle when he was reversing out of the parking lot and shot him seven times through the front passenger window, killing him instantly.

Munjalu immediately left the scene and went into hiding. He locked himself in his house and when he was ordered to surrender, he refused. Detectives had to use tear gas to smoke him out of his house.

The family of Kimani, who was a Kiambu-based politician, had approached the International Justice Mission-Kenya (IJM-Kenya) to represent them in court.

Reacting to the conviction and sentencing, IJM Kenya country director Benson Shamala said the officer's conviction is yet another big step in holding errant police officers to account for using excessive force against unarmed citizens.

Mr Shamala said: "It is unfortunate that police officers mandated to protect citizens end up abusing their power and causing unwarranted death of innocent people. This conviction is another demonstration that the public can rely on our criminal justice system to defend themselves."

He added: "IJM remains committed to holding police officers accountable and working with the authorities responsible to oversight their work. Law enforcers must always provide protection and not harm innocent citizens."