This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 21, 2020, former Mlolongo Officer Commanding Station Stephen Lelei will appear in Machakos High Court to take a plea for his alleged involvement in the murders of Elizabeth Nduku and Jacob Mbai on March 27, 2016.
Lelei, who was feted for his bravery during the 2013 Westgate terror attack, has denied participating in the killings. He claims he was wrongly indicted and was not questioned to explain the circumstances surrounding the case.
However, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has recommended that Lelei and his junior, Fredrick Lelman, be charged with the murders. Lelman is already facing other murder charges.
The case is linked to the murders of lawyer Willie Kimani and his two associates, for which Lelman is on trial. The bodies of Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri were found dumped in Oldonyo Sabuk in Athi River.
Lelei's case is the latest in a series of high-profile police brutality cases. In April 2020, IPOA recommended that six General Service Unit (GSU) officers be charged with the murder of Mary Kiprotich in Ndindika, Laikipia County.
