Six cops linked to Embu brothers killing detained for 14 days
Six officers linked to the deaths of Kianjokoma brothers have been detained for 14 days to complete investigations.
Corporal of Police Benson Mputhia, Corporal Consolata Kariuki, Police Constable Martin WAnyama, PC Lilian Cherono, PC Nicholus Sang and PC James Mwaniki were arrested yesterday night and driven to Nairobi.
The six were arraigned today at the Milimani courts and will be held at Capital Hill Police Station.
“The court cannot close it’s eyes to the fact that the six are police officers and can interfere with witnesses. The people of Embu and Kenyans want to know what happened to the two brothers,” Principal Magistrate Daniel Ndugi said.
The prosecution, led by Lydia Nyamosi, sought to have the officers detained for 14 days pending investigations.
“There is need to protect the witnesses so that they can provide more evidence to investigators. There is need to extract data from communication devices from respondents and the victims,” said the prosecution.
According to Nyamosi, the duration sought for investigations to be concluded is because it is a complex matter and they need time without any interference.
Ndugi said the six were detained for their own safety because if released, there may be chaos.
The case will mentioned on August 31.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji directed the arrest of the six police officers shortly after Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) recommended they face murder charges.
In a statement, the DPP said all law enforcing officers have the cardinal duty of complying with all constitutional requirements of human rights while undertaking their mandate even for persons in their custody.
According to the Haji the move will stop the police officers from either interfering with evidence or intimidating witnesses.
“Based on the preliminary Investigation Report forwarded by the Inspector General (IG), I am directing the IG to immediately arrest and arraign in court, in Nairobi, all officers involved pending investigations by the IPOA to avoid any interference with evidence and or intimidation of witnesses,” he said.
