Safaricom CEO’s police bodyguard charged with murder after bar shooting

A police officer assigned to the VIP protection detail of the Safaricom CEO has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a fellow officer during a bar brawl in Ruaraka. 

Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus was arraigned before Justice James Wakiaga at the Milimani Court on Tuesday, where he was formally charged with the murder of Raphael Kimuli Wambua, a police officer attached to the Central Bank of Kenya. 

According to the prosecution, on the night of February 23, 2025, the deceased, in the company of his brother Erick Ngolania Wambua—a police officer stationed at the GSU headquarters—had been watching football and drinking at Wasafi Bar.

As they left the bar around 1:20 a.m., they were confronted by Tarus, who allegedly shot Raphael Kimuli using his Jericho pistol, serial number 44338440. 

Following the shooting, an angry mob attacked the accused before police officers from Ruaraka police station intervened and rushed him to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. 

Through his lawyers, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, the accused asked to be released on bail, arguing that there were no compelling reasons for him to be detained and that he would comply with all directions issued by the court. 

The prosecution had initially sought to detain Tarus for 14 days to allow for further investigations.

However, after reviewing the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that he be formally charged with murder. 

Appearing before Justice Wakiaga, Tarus denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 and a surety of a similar amount.

The court further directed that he should not contact any witnesses and must report to the investigating officer every Thursday until the case is heard and determined. 

The case is scheduled to be heard on May 20, 2025.