- The officer is suspected to have fatally shot a civilian driver and a private security officer
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In his ruling Gatheru dismissed the defence objection as there were compelling reasons
DCI detectives have obtained a court order to detain a police officer who allegedly shot two dead in a suspected deal gone sour. https://bit.ly/31pgh7U
DCI detectives have obtained a court order to detain a police officer who allegedly shot two dead in a suspected deal gone sour.
Douglas Okwii Marcus, who is attached to Railways police station, will now remain in Embakasi police station until Aril 1 pending investigations.
In an affidavit filed before Makadara principal magistrate Lewis Gacheru, constable Adam Diribo said he is investigating a murder case.
“A postmortem has not been conducted on the two bodies to ascertain the cause of death. If the suspect is freed, there is a likelihood that he will interfere with the ongoing investigations,” he said.
While seeking 21 days custodial orders, Diribo added that he also needed more time to submit the rifle used in the incident to a ballistic expert at DCI headquarters for examination.
Diribo said Okwii is suspected to have fatally shot a civilian driver, Boniface Ondigo, and a private security officer, Sanita Nzai Kombe.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of March 14, at CRBC Section II Utawala construction campsite for SGR phase II.
The premises are guarded by police officers and a private security firm where Kombe worked.
Okwii was arrested on March 17 after a report was made at Embakasi police station via OB 11/15/03/2021.
But defence counsel Roberts Kiprotich objected to the application, saying detaining his client for the mentioned days would be unconstitutional.
He said the prosecution has not provided any material evidence that the suspect will interfere or jeopardise the on going investigations in any way.
“Your honour, my client is a police officer who has been in the service for over 20 years. He understands the essence of following due procedure and adhering to the law and I am certain he will still cooperate with the investigating team as required," he said.
He added that there is no any contact between his client and the perceived witnesses.
In his ruling Gatheru said there are compelling reasons to detain the suspect pending investigations.
"The suspect is said to have murdered two people. His detention can never be termed as illegal. He is facing a capital offence and I agree with the prosecution that the suspect might be a flight risk. I will therefore allow the application and I do grant a grant 14 days," he ruled.
He ordered the matter to be mentioned on April,1
Image: CORAZON WAFULA