Mob kills NIS officer mistaken for robber

What you need to know:

  • The National Intelligence Service officers were mistaken for robbers after they alighted from their car in Donholm in Nairobi on Sunday evening and tried to control traffic.
  • Preliminary investigations show that two police officers, one believed to be from the Inspector-General’s office, allegedly disarmed the NIS men and left them at the mercy of the mob that set upon them, killing the officer. His colleague narrowly escaped death.

An intelligence officer was beaten to death by the public as he and a colleague attempted to clear a traffic jam.

The National Intelligence Service officers were mistaken for robbers after they alighted from their car in Donholm in Nairobi on Sunday evening and tried to control traffic.

A confrontation ensued and one of the officers allegedly shot a resident in the hip.

Police have identified the resident as 22-year-old Yusuf Baracha, who is in stable condition in hospital.

Police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki yesterday said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the NIS man’s death had started. She said no arrests had been made yet.

Preliminary investigations show that two police officers, one believed to be from the Inspector-General’s office, allegedly disarmed the NIS men and left them at the mercy of the mob that set upon them, killing the officer. His colleague narrowly escaped death.

Mr Mbero Evarard Mugambi told police he was driving on Kayole road towards Outering with the two NIS officers, Mr Anthony Kimathi and his colleague.
At Kisumu Ndogo, there was heavy traffic and the officers alighted to help.

Mr Mugambi said a few minutes later he heard two gunshots, and when he went to investigate, he found Mr Kimathi and his colleague being stoned by the public.

A policeman in the Inspector-General’s office reported that he rescued the officers and took their firearms.

Witnesses, however, said two people got out of a Toyota Landcruiser and identified themselves as police officers.

They allegedly disarmed the NIS officers and went back to their vehicle.

The witnesses said the mob then shoved one officer into a trench and pelted him with stones as he cried for help.

“The officers sat in their car as people attacked the man. They later returned and tried to disperse the crowd but he was dead,” said a witness.

A video taken by a Nation reporter shows a man in a brown leather jacket holding two pistols. Another man is seen throwing a huge stone at Mr Kimathi in the trench.