Former Police Officer Titus Ngamau Musila alias Katitu in a Nairobi Court where he was sentenced to serve 15 years imprisonment where three years he will be in probation, after he was found guilty of killing Kennedy Mwangi in April 2013 at Githurai 45.
Until 12 years ago, Titus Ngamau, aka Katitu, was a seemingly untouchable police officer who dabbled in music for his own amusement.
Today, Katitu relies largely on the income from the live performances of his Kithangaini Lipua Lipua Band as he tries to rebuild his life after being released in November 2024 from Kamiti Maximum Prison, where he was incarcerated for six years.
Life took a dramatic turn in 2013 when he was accused of shooting Kenneth Kimani, who the policeman said was a suspected criminal in Githurai, setting in motion a series of events that led to his imprisonment in 2018 after Justice James Wakiaga convicted him of misuse of a firearm.
A subsequent appeal in 2020 was unsuccessful.
Katitu's conviction in the case, which was supported by human rights bodies and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, marked the end of his chequered career in the police service.
Katitu's arrest had divided opinion and sparked protests among his supporters in Githurai.
While some saw him as an effective judge, jury and executioner of crime, others saw him as a rogue officer who was a law unto himself.
Since his release two months ago, Katitu has turned to Benga music to make a living.
The 51-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist is banking on the music band named after his village in Mwala, Machakos County - whose core members are his children - which is popular in entertainment venues in Machakos and Makueni counties.
A day after being released from Kamiti Maximum Prison, Mr Ngamau joined his children for a concert in Sultan Hamud Township, Makueni County.
"It is my son who introduced me to most of my current clients," he told Nation.Africa, referring to his eldest son, Mwaniki 'Kitolongwe' Ngamau, 25, who took over the band when his father was in prison.
Elizabeth Mumbua, 23, is the vocalist and plays rhythm guitar, while Pius Kivuva, 21, plays bass, solo and rhythm guitars as well as vocals.
Michael Kasyoki, the last born, who celebrated his 18th birthday in June, plays bass guitar.
"Music runs in our family. Nothing can stop it," says Katitu.
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A typical Kithangaini Lipua Lipua Band concert begins with a curtain-raiser before the main show, which features covers of popular classics by top Ukambani musicians such as Katombi (Alex Kasau), Ken wa Maria and Kaewa Superstars Band, among others.
When Katitu and his children took to the stage with Kithangaini Lipua Lipua Band around midnight at one of the performances Nation.Africa attended in late December, it was clear they had a loyal following.
"Tito (Titus), we missed you," shouts a man during an interlude as Katitu's band performs in Kithangathini Township, Machakos County.
Katitu says he owes his musical talent to his father, Peter Musila, who was a renowned Ukambani Benga musician in the 1970s with the Kithangaini Brothers Band.
"I honed my musical skills in the Kithangaini Catholic Church choir and at Masii Secondary School where I entertained pupils, teachers and parents.
In 1998, when I was in Form One, I used to sneak out of school to play guitar during Kyanganga Boys Band shows," he told the Nation.Africa.
Katitu formed the Kithangaini Lipua Band before joining the Kenya Police Service in 1997.
The former policeman may be eager to sing a new tune in his colourful life, but the dark shadow of his past is never far away.
Seven years after his conviction, Katitu remains a divisive figure: a darling of some for his 'instant justice' policing tactics, and a villain to others.
But the man himself is reluctant to discuss the matter, vaguely promising to open up at the right time.
"Let's not talk about it now," he told Nation.Africa when asked about his controversial arrest and conviction.
At a recent homecoming ceremony at his home in Kithangaini, attended by Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi and Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, a Githurai-based trader recounted how Katitu had once helped her recover an unknown amount of money and a mobile phone she had lost to thieves.
"I returned all the money she lost and the mobile phone," said Katitu, referring to Ms Eunice Njeri, who was present at the event and presented the former policeman with a bouquet of flowers and cash.
The event was also a fundraiser to help him get back on his feet.
He revealed how he suffered a huge personal loss after his wife, Pauline Mwende, died in July 2018 while he was in prison. He says he still feels the pain of not being allowed to attend her funeral.
For his relatives, fans and friends, his release was an answered prayer. Nairobi City County Public Service Board chairman Thomas Kasoa, who hails from the area, is among those who believe that Katitu had gone out of his way to tame insecurity in and around busy Githurai.
"He should not have been punished for doing his job," he said.
Deputy Governor Mwangangi urged Katitu's neighbours to consider him for community roles to speed up his reintegration.
Katitu's lawyers, led by Senator Maanzo, say plans are in place to ensure that the former policeman receives his terminal benefits.
"We are relying on former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett, who is now an adviser to President William Ruto, to ensure that Titus enjoys his rights," he says.
