The murder trial of former Pangani Police Station officer Ahmed Rashid resumes today at the Kibera Law Courts, reigniting public attention on a case that has long symbolized concerns over police brutality in Kenya.
Rashid, who once led the controversial undercover unit known as the ‘Pangani Nine,’ is accused of executing two teenage boys — Jamal Mohammed and Mohammed Dhair Kheri — in broad daylight along Eastleigh’s Amal Plaza in March 2017.
Footage from the scene, widely circulated at the time, showed Rashid allegedly shooting the unarmed teenagers as they lay face-down on the ground.
The video sparked outrage from human rights groups and triggered calls for accountability within law enforcement.
Despite denying the charges, Rashid maintains that he acted within the bounds of his duty, claiming the two were armed criminals. His defense team argues that his actions were lawful and in line with efforts to combat gang violence in the crime-prone neighborhood.
The prosecution, however, contends that the officer acted unlawfully and used excessive force in a situation that did not warrant lethal action.
Rashid was formally charged with murder in 2022 following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a recommendation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which concluded its investigations into the killings.
The case is being closely watched by civil society, victims’ families, and international observers, who view it as a test of Kenya’s commitment to curbing extra-judicial killings and enforcing police accountability.
The hearing is expected to continue with witness testimonies and cross-examinations.
