A corporal in the police force was found guilty by the High Court in Voi of killing Esau Juma Mwanguku in March 2019.
On May 12, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) released the judgment statement as demands for police accountability increased.
Along with the guilty verdict, the court revoked the officer’s bail and directed his confinement at Manyani GK Prison until sentencing on June 2, 2026.
Court documents reveal the officer shot Mwanguku at Rockland Restaurant in Taveta Town, where both individuals had been consuming alcohol prior to the incident.
The IPOA launched a prompt investigation into the incident, operating independently to ensure a comprehensive examination of the matter.
IPOA stated they advocated for murder charges against the officer, noting adequate evidence existed to proceed with prosecution in court.
“The Authority conducted the investigation on its own initiative. After completing the inquiry, IPOA proposed that the officer face murder charges,” the authority reported.
The High Court deemed the evidence persuasive, determining that the officer’s conduct was directly responsible for Mwanguku’s death.
Information about the incident suggests the officer was on duty when he came across the victim, reportedly engaging him in a conflict stemming from a personal matter.
Witness accounts indicate the confrontation turned violent as both parties were under the influence of alcohol at that moment.
The officer fired one bullet into Mwanguku’s chest, resulting in immediate death.
Francis Chege, the establishment’s manager, mentioned he promptly informed Taveta Police Station about the shooting, leading to the officer’s apprehension.
The verdict arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding injuries inflicted upon ordinary citizens.