Four police officers face murder charges over deaths of two civilians

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has preferred murder charges against four police officers.

Police constables Rajab Korir, Reuben Maino, Wycliffe Wangila and Corporal Silas Mutuma Marimi are to be charged with the murder of Bernard Ogutu and Caren Chepkoech Rono on different dates.

Investigations by the oversight body reveal that constable Korir fatally shot Ogutu on September 25, 2013, at Camel Guest House, Mbotela estate, in Nairobi.

IPOA, in its report, says the accused was not in police uniform at the time of the incident, but was armed with a pistol which he allegedly used to shoot the deceased several times.

“IPOA investigations also established there was no robbery or any criminal activity on that day at Camel Guest House and Bernard (Ogutu) was not armed as alleged by constable Korir,” says the authority.

The officer, then based at Makongeni Police Station, killed the victim when going to take a bath. “Further, investigators established that Bernard was going to take a bath within Camel Guest House bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and a piece of white cloth around his neck,” says IPOA. “On arrival at the guest house, the officers did not identify themselves as police. A struggle erupted between one of the officers and Bernard resulting into constable Korir shooting Bernard severally,” explains the authority.

The officer is also accused of labelling the deceased as unknown despite having his identification documents.

On death of Caren Chepkoech Rono alias Mercy Chepkoech, the authority established that she died in the back of a police vehicle when in the custody of corporal Marimi, constables Maino and Wangila.

All the accused officers were based at Olenguruone Police Station in Nakuru County at the time of the incident.

Ms Rono, who worked as a barmaid at Wagon Bar, was arrested by the officers on July 8, 2014 at 2am.

“The police officers put Caren in their vehicle and sped off. At around 2.45am, they rushed Caren to Olenguruone Sub-District Hospital claiming she had jumped out of the moving vehicle in an attempt to escape from lawful custody, and fell on the tarmac sustaining head injuries,” says the oversight authority.

Investigations revealed the victim died as a result of injuries to the back of her head. IPOA forwarded the two cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has since directed the four be charged.