This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On November 16, 2003, a tragic incident occurred at Mtwapa Police Station in Mombasa, Kenya, resulting in the deaths of three innocent people.
Police Constable Harrison Langat, who was on a drinking spree, stormed the police station and used his G3 rifle to shoot dead Doreen Wawira, Alice Katonye, and Police Constable Jacob Nderi.
Justice Dorah Chepkwony, presiding over the case, found Langat guilty of the murders and sentenced him to death.
According to the judge, there were no special circumstances that forced Langat to use his weapon, as the victims were unarmed and had not committed any crimes.
State counsel Erick Masila applied for the maximum sentence, citing the need for deterrence against rampant shootings and killings by police officers.
Langat's actions were widely condemned, with the judge stating, 'Three people died in the hands of a police officer who was supposed to protect them... there was no special circumstances that forced him to use his weapon since the victims were not armed and had not committed any crimes.'
