Two police officers yesterday were convicted of manslaughter for shooting 14-year-old Kwekwe Mwandaza in Kwale county.
Kwekwe was shot in the head with a high-powered rifle on August 22, 2014, when 13 officers stormed her home at Maweu village in Kinango, allegedly seeking to arresting her uncle.
The case created a national uproar.
Kinango police boss Veronicah Gitahi and police constable Issa Mzee had been charged with murder.
They said the child was trying to attack them with a panga.
Mombasa High Court judge Martin Muya said the two were “recklessly negligent” for shooting in darkness without establishing who the victims were.
“I find the two accused persons guilty of the offence of manslaughter and they should be sentenced accordingly. They should have made every effort to avoid using a gun on a child,” he said.
The officers said they had gone for an operation to pursue criminals threatening residents.
Muya said the offence of murder was not proved beyond reasonable doubt, but manslaughter had been proven.
Manslaughter carries a sentence of at least 12 months, plus fines and probation.
“The child should have been disarmed either physically or shot in the hand to disarm her,” Muya said.
The judge will sentence the duo on Friday.
