Body of cop killed in freak accident moved to Migori

The body was then supposed to be taken for a stop-over at Makupa police station en route to Migori county for burial on Friday at his home in Nyambeho village in Kuria East subcounty.

Marwa, 49, was run over and killed by a motorist at Buxton in Mombasa on February 27.

He and his colleagues were manning the Buxton Junction at about 4.30pm when the incident happened.

Together with his colleagues, they had flagged down a car for normal traffic inspection. 

The driver is said to have grabbed the officer's hand when he reached for the ignition key, seemingly to switch off the engine.

He then engaged the drive gear and accelerated with the officer hanging from the window and dragged him for almost 200 metres.

The officer then fell off the car and the rear right wheel of the car ran over him, injuring him on the head.

Police said he sustained multiple injuries in other parts of the body and was rushed to Jocham Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On Wednesday, his colleagues thronged the Jocham Hospital morgue to pay their last respects.

The mood was sombre as family and friends broke down in tears at a brief service conducted by a senior sergeant of police Kennedy Kienyere, based in Likoni.

He asked Kenyans to respect police officers, saying they are doing God’s work.

“The Bible says respect and obey authorities. Police officers are serving God by serving the people,”  Kienyere said.

Marwa’s said they would like to see justice for him served.

Kennedy Sasi, the family spokesperson, said Marwa’s death should not be in vain.

“Many things have been said over Marwa’s death. What we are asking is that he gets justice,” said Sasi.

He also called on Kenyans to respect police officers, especially when they are in uniform.

“Let’s respect these people. They are our brothers, our fathers and our children too,” Sasi said.

Marwa’s widow Florence Matinde asked the justice system to expedite the court process so that the suspect involved in her husband's death is justifiably punished.

Suspect Osman Jama Abdi, the driver of the car that was flagged down by Marwa and his colleagues, has been charged in court.

“I believe if the government and human rights defenders stand with the truth, justice will be served,” Matinde said.

Muslims for Human Rights rapid response officer Francis Auma, who was overwhelmed by emotions and also broke down at the hospital morgue, said they will follow the case until its logical end.

The human rights officer said some well-connected people are trying to interfere with the case  to have it dropped.

“But we will not allow that. Police officers also have rights like any other human being,” Auma said.

He called on Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to ensure that no one interferes with the Marwa case.

“We will watch in brief on behalf of the family. We will make sure the family gets justice because Marwa had a wife and children whom he has left behind,” Auma said.

Auma said at 49, Marwa was poised for greater heights in his career.

(Edited by V. Graham)