Senior police officer handed life sentence for murder of unarmed man

A senior police officer has been sentenced to life imprisonment after the High Court in Mombasa found him guilty of murdering an unarmed man.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Likoni was convicted of fatally shooting a 20-year-old man in 2018 at Mwenza Village in Likoni, Mombasa County.

In a judgment delivered by Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni, the court ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the officer unlawfully used lethal force against the young man during what was described in court as an attempted arrest over alleged goat theft.

The ODPP said its prosecution team, led by Ngiri Wangui, called more than 20 witnesses who placed the officer at the scene and challenged assertions that the deceased posed any threat.

Witnesses testified that the victim was unarmed and did not resist arrest at the time he was shot.

“The prosecution presented more than 20 witnesses to prove the case against the former chief inspector. The court heard testimony placing him at the scene and challenging claims that the victim posed any threat,” the ODPP said.

The court heard that the officer fired several shots, killing the man on the spot.

Evidence presented during the trial pointed to inconsistencies in claims that the shooting was justified, with testimony indicating there was no imminent danger to warrant the use of a firearm.

In sentencing the officer to serve the remainder of his natural life in prison, Justice Micheni said the court had considered mitigation, a pre-sentence report and a victim impact statement.

The judge stated that, as a senior police commander, the convict bore a statutory duty to protect life and uphold the law.

The court found that he abused the authority entrusted to him and used unlawful force against a civilian.

The prosecution noted that the court observed that abuse of state power undermines justice and public confidence in law enforcement institutions and must attract a deterrent sentence.

Family members of the deceased told the court that they continue to endure psychological trauma years after the killing.

Justice Micheni directed the convicted officer to exercise his right of appeal within 14 days should he wish to challenge the conviction and sentence.