By Dorothy Musyoka
13 police officers, a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer, and a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warden were today charged at the Kiambu High Court with the murder of two Indian nationals, Mohammed Zaid Sami Kidwali and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, along with Kenyan citizen Nicodemus Mwania Mwange.
The accused, including Chief Inspector of Police Peter Muthee Gachiko, Inspector James Kibosek, Corporals Joseph Kamau Mbugua, David Chepchieng, Joseph Mwenda, John Mwangi, Hillary Limo, and Constables Stephen Luseno, Simon Muhuga, Paul Njogu, Boniface Otieno, Elkana Njeru, and Fredrick Thuku, faced murder charges alongside NIS officer John Wanjiku Macharia and KWS warden Michael Kiplangat.
According to the reports, on the night of July 22nd and 23rd, 2022, near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road, Nairobi, the accused, together with others, abducted and killed the three victims.
“Court heard that on the night of 22nd July and 23rd July 2022, near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road within Nairobi County, jointly with others not before court, the accused abducted and killed the three aforementioned persons,” explained the ODPP.
Appearing before Lady Justice Abigael Mshila, all accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution team, led by Everlyn Onunga and assisted by Augustine Gacharia, Victor Owiti, Allen Mulama, Benjamin Kelwon, and Kennedy Amwayi, presented the case.
The police officers charged were reportedly attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) under the now-disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) wing.
The court set March 20th, 2025, as the date for mentioning the case, during which directions will be provided, including a ruling on the bail and bond applications.