High Court Postpones Ruling in Murder Case Against Two Police Officers
Yator and Sirengo, who are currently out on bond, stand accused of the brutal killing of Lusava in Mbururu area, Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County
Courtesy: The Standard
The High Court in Eldoret has postponed its much-anticipated ruling in the murder case involving two police officers, Reuben Yator and Godwine Wekesa Sirengo.
The decision to defer the ruling, which had been scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2025, was made after it emerged that the presiding judge, Justice Reuben Nyakundi, would be unavailable due to official duties outside his station.
“I will not be in a position to deliver the judgment as earlier scheduled because I will be engaged in other official matters away from the court for the entire day,” Justice Nyakundi stated.
The ruling, which was to determine whether the two officers are guilty of the murder of Dennis Lusava, a peasant farmer, will now be delivered on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
Yator and Sirengo, who are currently out on bond, stand accused of the brutal killing of Lusava in Mbururu area, Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County. The incident reportedly occurred on October 4, 2022, following an altercation between the deceased and the officers.
According to court records, the confrontation prompted members of the public to intervene, preventing the officers from arresting or assaulting the victim. However, it is alleged that three days later, on October 7, the officers conspired to retaliate.
Prosecutors claim the two officers used a mutual acquaintance to lure Lusava to the police station. Once there, he was arrested and handcuffed to a window, where he was allegedly subjected to a violent assault involving kicks, blows, and electric cables.
Lusava’s mother, Agnes Ambale, testified that upon visiting the station, she found her son in a severely injured state. Despite her pleas for his release, officers allegedly demanded a bribe of KSh 2,000 in exchange for his freedom.
Though eventually released, Lusava’s attempt to seek medical attention was reportedly interrupted when the officers forcibly returned him to the station. A medical witness testified hearing the deceased scream in agony before he fell silent.
Tragically, Lusava’s body was later found dumped in River Nzoia near Webuye, days after the incident. A post-mortem examination revealed extensive injuries leading to circulatory failure.
Further investigation by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) led to the arrest and subsequent charging of Yator and Sirengo. During the three-year trial, the prosecution presented 21 witnesses and 27 exhibits to support its case.
It also emerged that after the incident, the officers allegedly falsified entries in the police Occurrence Book (OB), claiming Lusava had been released.
The accused, both of whom have since been interdicted by the National Police Service, now await the court’s final verdict in a case that has gripped national attention and raised serious concerns about police accountability and brutality.
About Author
