An armed police officer at a crime scene. FILE PHOTO
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have detained a former and current police officer in connection with the murder of Machakos-based lawyer Robert Chesang, as the investigation intensifies.
The retired senior officer was apprehended in Baragoi, Samburu County, on Saturday and transported to Nairobi the following day.
Authorities allege the suspect served as a conduit between the victim’s wife and the perpetrators.
A police officer stationed at Mutuine Police Post was taken into custody after surrendering on Saturday morning.
A second suspect remains at large.
"The lawyer’s wife is the prime suspect," DCI officers told the Nation.
DCI Director George Kinoti confirmed two additional individuals will face court on Monday.
A sergeant from Riruta Police Station in Nairobi was detained earlier, with his firearm seized.
The vehicle used to ferry the assailants to Chesang’s residence was linked to the arrested officer.
An 18-year-old, alleged to have driven the vehicle on the day of the murder, is also in custody.
Chesang, 45, was fatally shot at noon on February 17.
Two assailants arrived at Moke Gardens Estate, tied up the security guard, and entered the lawyer’s home.
"Chesang peeped through the window when one of the men knocked at his door," Kinoti said.
No property was taken from the residence, according to the Nation.
Crime scene investigators recovered seven spent cartridges, five of which were found outside the house.
The victim sustained three chest wounds and was found near the window.
A postmortem revealed he died from hemorrhaging.
Investigators are examining Chesang’s phone records and surveillance footage from Moke Estate and the National Police Service Integrated Communication command center to track the vehicle’s movements.
The vehicle had been spotted at the estate three times before the murder.
