Three Nakuru police officers face murder charges

NAKURU: Three police officers were yesterday charged with the murder of a woman in the county.

The Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) recommended that Tilas Mutuma Marimi, Reuben Miano and Wycliffe Wangila face murder charges.

The authority had also forwarded the findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko, who ordered on January 8 that they be charged with the murder of the woman.

IPOA established Caren Chepkoech died in the back of a police vehicle while in the custody of corporal Marimi, constables Maino and Wangila. The charges placed by the prosecution before Justice Maureen Odero read that the three jointly killed Chepkoech in Olenguruone town on July 8, 2014.

The investigations revealed she died as a result of a serious injury at the back of her head and she had no other marks or injuries on her body as police had claimed.

The officers took Chepkoech 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.

Investigations further revealed Chepkoech was dead by the time she reached the hospital and the injuries she had sustained were not consistent with the story given by the officers.

Yesterday, State Counsel Nelly Ngovi said the officers are still on duty and requested for more time “to enable the prosecution complete pre-plea formalities”.

“We have no apprehension that they will abscond court. We pray for one week,” said Ms Ngovi.
The court ordered the three to report daily at the Olenguruone Police Station bosses before they are allowed to take plea on February 11.