Five police officers were today arraigned in a Homa Bay Court and charged with murder for alleged involvement in the death of Sylvanus Oree Owinji in Kochia on September 17, 2017.
The five were charged following a probe by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)
“The investigation established that the officers raided the home to arrest the victim on suspicion of dealing in cannabis sativa (bhang),” stated IPOA.
Owinji was pronounced dead the following day, September 18, 2017 at Homa Bay
Referral Hospital where he was transferred after the duty officer at Rangwe police station declined to place him in custody due to the injuries he had suffered.
According to the police oversight authority,the officers used force to apprehend the suspect and consequently, Owinji sustained injuries which a pathologist determined to be the cause of death.
“IPOA investigators recorded statements from eye witnesses, including his neighbours and police officers and submitted the findings to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions,” stated IPOA.
The DPP directed the six police constables; Michael Ochango, Silas Anyira, Edwin Moenga, Bernard Maritim, Steven Owino and Wycliffe Cheptoo be charged with murder.
However, Moenga, who has since exited the service, has been issued with a warrant of arrest.
