15 police officers linked to murder of Indian nationals and taxi driver remanded

The officers, drawn from the Special Service Unit (SSU), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), pleaded not guilty to murder charges before Justice Abigal Mshila.  

The prosecution has been directed to submit its objection to bail, while a probation officer has been tasked with compiling a pre-bail report, incorporating perspectives from the victims' families in Kenya and India.  

Among the accused are Chief Inspector Peter Muthee, Inspector James Kibosek, and corporals Joseph Kamau, David Chepcheng, Joseph Mwenda, John Mwangi, and Hilary Limo. Others include constables Stephen Luseno, Simon Muhuga, Paul Njogu, Boniface Otieno, Elkana Njeru, Fredrick Thuku, John Wanjiku Macharia, and Warden Michael Kiplangat.  

The officers are accused of murdering Nicodemus Mwania Mwange, Mohammed Zaid Sami Kidwai, and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan between the night of July 22 and the day of July 23, 2022, near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road, Nairobi.  

The state has opposed their release on bail, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case have evolved and that bail terms previously granted at Kahawa Law Courts were in a separate matter. Prosecutors have requested seven days to submit a formal objection.  

Defense lawyer Dunstan Omari, representing the first accused, contended that the case is being handled unfairly and that his clients are victims of political persecution.

Another defense lawyer, Kirathe Wadungi, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the accused have already spent over 18 months in custody and that bail conditions could be reviewed later if necessary.  

The case will be mentioned on March 20 to set a date for the bail ruling.