Ex-Ruaraka OCS Nahashon Mutua sentenced to death

Former Ruaraka Police Station boss Nahashon Mutua has been sentenced to death for torturing a suspect to death inside a cell.

The sentence handed down on Thursday morning comes a month after the High Court found Mutua guilty of killing Mr Martin Koome.

Mr Koome had been arrested over domestic brawl at his home in Baba Dogo, Nairobi, but later died after being tortured while in a police cell in December 2013.

Evidence showed that Mr Koome was assaulted using a metal pipe and his head immersed in a drum of water.

He was later taken to Kenyatta National Hospital but died hours later.

COMPLAINT FILED

Mr Kelvin Odhiambo had initially been charged with murder but a complaint was filed at Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa).

After an investigation, it was discovered that the charge was a cover-up to save Mutua's skin.

Mr Odhiambo's case was then terminated by the Director of Public Prosecutions about nine months later and Mutua was charged with murdering Mr Koome.

The court also heard that Mutua interfered with the investigations by intimidating and coercing witnesses who had recorded statements with Ipoa.

MISLEADING REPORT

He was also accused of giving a misleading crime and incident report that Mr Koome had been assaulted by Mr Odhiambo.

Justice Martha Mutuku said the evidence by an eyewitness was corroborated by other witnesses.

She said Mutua was seen assaulting the suspect and all evidence pointed at him.