IPOA Pushes for Murder Charges Against Officers Over Mukuru Killing
The High Court will determine what happens next to those who need to face punishment according to legal procedures, while the case waits for its next court appearance.
Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved murder charges against two police officers who were involved in the fatal shooting of Shukri Adan Ibrahim in Mukuru kwa Njenga. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) completed its investigation into the killing before making its decision.
The officers, who are known as Sergeant Godwin Mjomba and Constable Patrick Mutunga Titus, will appear in front of Milimani High Court Judge Martin Muya to defend themselves against murder charges that result from the fatal shooting incident. IPOA investigators recommended the charges after they determined that the shooting happened in a way that raised significant doubts about whether officers should have used deadly force.
The court expected to proceed with the plea taking after IPOA completed its investigations, but it had to postpone the process because of unexpected events. Kevin Lusweti who represents IPOA at the court, said that the High Court judge scheduled to hear the case was sick and could not attend the court session. The court could not proceed with the planned plea taking because of this situation.
Presiding magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii accepted the explanation provided by the defense, which led her to schedule a virtual court appearance for the upcoming case date. The court proceedings will lead to the closure of a miscellaneous file that both parties used to complete their ongoing investigation into the IPOA case. The court established that all necessary legal procedures needed to be completed before the case could proceed to the High Court for plea entering.
According to preliminary findings presented by IPOA, the deceased, Shukri Adan Ibrahim, was shot while lying on the ground. The court heard from investigators that he sustained one gunshot wound which entered through his forehead and exited through the back of his head. He died at the location of the incident, which caused suspicion about how the officers used their weapons during the situation.
Further details confirmed that after the shooting, Ibrahim’s body was taken to Takwa Mosque which is located in Mukuru kwa Njenga. The facility conducted a post-mortem examination which showed that the victim’s death resulted from a penetrating gunshot injury that impacted his head. The medical findings matched the first observations made at the scene.
The case has drawn public attention because human rights activists and Mukuru kwa Njenga residents demand accountability from police officers who engage in suspected misconduct. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that its organization investigates police-related fatalities and severe injuries that happen during police operations. The organization assured the public that its recommendations stemmed from evidence which its team collected throughout the inquiry process.
The family of the deceased has requested the court to speed up the case because they fear that further delays will prevent them from obtaining justice. The petitioners requested the judiciary to treat their case as urgent because current prosecution delays hinder public trust in the judicial system.
About Author
