This archive report was first published on 18 August 2021.
On August 17, 2021, six police officers were arrested in connection with the deaths of two brothers in Embu County. The officers, Consolota Njeri, Benson Mbuthia, Lilian Cherono, Martin Wanyama, Nicholas Sang, and James Mwaniki, were taken to the Capitol Hill Police Station for further questioning.
According to Senior Assistant DPP Jacinta Nyamosi, investigators are analyzing the officers' mobile phones and gathering evidence from witnesses. The burnt police vehicle has become a crucial part of the State's case, with the officers accused of interfering with leads to the murder.
Magistrate Daniel Ndungi ruled that the six officers should remain in custody, citing the possibility of witness interference and the need to protect key witnesses. The State had urged the magistrate to deny the officers bail, arguing that there was a need to show commitment to providing justice in the matter.
The application was supported by the victims' lawyer, Nelson Havi, who argued that there was a concerted effort to conceal the murder. Havi stated that the officers were transferred to far-flung police posts while the vehicle, which ought to be used as an exhibit during trial, was burnt.
The six officers opposed the application, arguing that investigators had concluded gathering evidence and that detaining them would be unnecessary.
