Two police officers have been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison after they were found guilty of killing a suspect while he was being held in a police cell in Nyamira County.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the case relates to the death of Amos Kemosi Kereri, who died on August 19, 2019, while in custody at Nyamatoki Police Post.
The police corporal, James Ogwagwa Nyakina, was charged with serving a prison sentence of 30 years, while Police Constable Jackson Kirui Kipngeno received ten years imprisonment.
As per the verdict given by the court, both these officers were involved in the process of arresting Kereri at night, and subsequently assaulted him at the police station.
According to the prosecutors, Kereri suffered grave injuries and was transferred to hospital on the following morning where he was declared dead.
Fourteen witnesses testified during the proceedings explaining what transpired on the night in question and the conduct of the suspects in handling of the victim.
The two officers were convicted of the murder since at the time of the assault, they had the responsibility of protecting the victim.
The case underscores a number of cases involving death of victims while under police custody which have raised concern.
Another similar case was witnessed in April 2019 when the High Court in Mombasa jailed a former police officer to life in prison for the murder of a civilian.
Former Likoni OCS Yunus Athman was convicted of the murder of 20-year old Mbaraka Maitha Omar.
According to Judge Wendy Kagendo Micheni, the former officer had a legal responsibility to safeguard lives yet he resorted to use of force against a helpless civilian.
The verdict followed testimonies from over 20 witnesses who placed the officer at the scene and challenged claims that the victim was a threat.
