IPOA links death of two civilians to police
Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko. His office has approved the trial of four police officers on murder charges. The four are linked to the deaths of Benard Ogutu and Caren Chepkoech Rono. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Four police officers will be charged with the murder of two civilians in separate incidences in Nairobi and Nakuru.
- Constable Korir, according to IPOA, was armed with a pistol which he used to shoot and kill Mr Bernard Ogutu.
- The investigation revealed that Ms Caren Chepkoech Rono died in the back of a police vehicle while in the custody of the three officers.
Four police officers will be charged with the murder of two civilians in separate incidences in Nairobi and Nakuru.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, approved the murder charges after the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), concluded their investigations linking the deaths of Mr Benard Ogutu and Ms Caren Chepkoech Rono to the police officers.
On Friday, IPOA stated that Mr Ogutu died on September 25, 2013 at Carmel Guest house in Mbotela Estate, Nairobi County.
“Investigation revealed that Mr Ogutu was killed by Police Constable Rajab Korir, a Police Officer who was by then based at Makongeni Police Station in Nairobi County,” IPOA Said, adding that Bernard was shot dead as he was going to take a bath.
“He was within the Carmel Guest house bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and a piece of white cloth around his neck,” IPOA stated, adding that the deceased was the only one within the guest house compound at that particular time.
On arrival at the guest house, the investigations revealed, the officer did not identify himself as police officer. A struggle ensued between one of the officers and Mr Ogutu, resulting in Police Constable Rajab Korir shooting the deceased.
FATAL SHOOTING
Constable Korir, according to IPOA, was not in police uniform but was armed with a pistol which he used to shoot and kill Mr Ogutu.
IPOA questioned the circumstances under which the fatal shooting occured, as no robbery or any criminal activity was reported at Carmel Guest House on that day, besides, Mr Ogutu was not armed as alleged by Constable Korir.
“Further, despite having his national identification card, Police labelled Mr Ogutu as an unknown person in Police and mortuary records where they took the body after the fatal shooting.
DPP Mr Keriako Tobiko also approved the prosecution of Corporal Silas Mutuma Marimi, Constable Reuben Maino and Constable Wycliffe Wangila Sikuku of Olenguruone Police Station, Nakuru County, following the death of Ms Rono alias Mercy Chepkoech while in police custody.
The deceased was arrested by police officers at the Wagon Bar where she was worked as a barmaid at 2.00am on July 8, 2014.
HEAD INJURIES
“The investigation revealed that Ms Rono died in the back of a police vehicle while in the custody of the three officers.
“At around 2.45 am the Police rushed Ms Rono to Olenguroune Sub- District hospital, claiming that she had jumped out of the moving vehicle in an attempt to escape from lawful custody, fell on the tarmac sustaining head injuries,” the statement sent by IPOA head of Communication, Dennis Oketch read.
The authority stated that Investigations revealed that Ms Rono died as a result of a serious head injuries as she had no other marks or injuries on her body.
They also revealed that the deceased was dead by the time she reached the hospital and the injuries she had sustained were not consistent with the story forwarded by the officers that she jumped from a moving vehicle.
