Friends, relatives and neighbours gather at the home of Fredrick Juma Wanjala (inset) allegedly killed during an operation against illicit brew at Namanjalala areas in Trans Nzoia, on April 20,2026.
In Maliki village in Namanjalala, Trans Nzoia County, a family is grappling with a painful repetition of tragedy.
Six years after a son was shot dead at their home during a police raid linked to illicit brews, his father has suffered the same fate this week, killed in a similar operation at the same homestead.
Grief hangs heavily over Maliki village where residents are still coming to terms with the killing of 58-year-old Fredrick Juma Wanjala, popularly known as Musa Babu, who was shot dead by police at his home on the night of Monday April 20, 2026, under disputed circumstances.
His death at the hands of armed police officers during a night operation has reopened old wounds for the bereaved family, still seeking justice and answers for a similar unresolved tragedy in 2020, when his 20-year-old son was also killed in a police raid.
Jackline Namalwa, widow of the late Fredrick Juma Wanjala during an interview on April 21,2026 after a night incident that left his husband dead.
Neighbours in Maliki village described Babu as a man who lived a quiet and private life. The 58-year-old was known locally as a brewer of traditional liquor.
His activities had reportedly brought him into repeated conflict with law enforcement authorities and influential figures within security circles.
On the night of his death, he was at home with his wife, Jackline Namalwa, 52, and their two daughters. According to the family, events unfolded shortly after 10.30pm.
“We had a bang on the door and my husband asked me what that was before he went to check. When he reached the door, there were armed police officers who demanded entry. My husband was hesitant because he feared whether they were truly police officers,” Ms Namakwa recalled.
She described a standoff lasting about 25 minutes before officers forced their way in by breaking the door, after which one of them shot her husband in the face.
“It was very traumatising. We just heard a gunshot and my husband fell down and blood started oozing. We held each other with my daughters in panic and shock,” she added.
According to the widow, the officers then asked for a blanket to wrap the body, with one allegedly saying the shooting was prompted by her husband’s resistance.
“They did a thorough search in the house but did not take anything. They wrapped him in a blanket and left with the body. We are still in shock because my husband had pleaded with them, but they still went ahead and shot him,” she said.
By Tuesday morning, news of his death had spread across the village, with many residents describing the killing as deliberate and raising concerns that he may have been under scrutiny by security agencies.
Conflicting account
At his home, bloodstains were still visible at the entrance, pointing to a violent confrontation that ended in his death. Neighbours, friends and relatives had gathered by the time Nation visited, as the shock rippled through the community.
There is, however, a conflicting police account.
According to a police report (OB:2/21/4/2026 at 0011 hours), the operation was conducted by a multi-agency team drawn from the Administration Police, Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The operation targeted illicit brews and drugs in the Namanjalala area, with the deceased described as a “notorious local brewer”.
Police say the suspect defied orders, became violent and attempted to attack officers, prompting one officer to discharge a firearm, fatally injuring him with a single shot.
The report states that the bullet entered through his face and exited through the neck. His body was taken to Wamalwa Kijana Referral Hospital mortuary as the family and authorities await a post-mortem report.
Police further reported recovering a spear allegedly used to attack officers, along with approximately 440 litres of chang’aa packed in fourteen 30-litre jerrycans and one 20-litre jerrycan.
The family insists that, regardless of the allegations, Musa Babu should have been arrested rather than killed.
“This is not the first death in my family, and we have not received any report from the police. We want justice. They could have arrested him if he was wanted, but not kill him in front of us. It is really painful,” said Ms Namalwa.
A portrait of the late Fredrick Juma Wanjala, killed by police at his home on the night of April 20, 2026, during an altercation with armed police.
Her grief is compounded by the earlier loss of her son in similar circumstances.
On December 11, 2020, Mr Sebastian Simiyu, then aged 20, was shot dead during an early morning police raid targeting illicit brews.
At the time, Mr Simiyu had just received his admission letter to Kibabii University, where he was set to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree. He was due to join the institution when he was killed at around 6am at his home after being woken by his father to lock up their dog.
Police officers conducting the crackdown were accused of shooting him multiple times, killing him on the spot.
The incident sparked protests by angry residents, who accused police of carrying out an extrajudicial killing.
Former Kapomboi MCA Benard Wanjala and former Keiyo Ward MCA Emmanuel Waswa have condemned the latest incident, accusing police of using excessive force.
They called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to investigate both deaths.
“This is very sad. We have lost two people from the same family and nobody has been held accountable. If the father was a suspect, they could have arrested him instead of killing him in cold blood,” said Mr Wanjala.
Mr Waswa urged the government to investigate and compensate the family.
“We know that Sebastian’s case is still in court and we ask the court to help this family get justice. No one should be killed like this,” he said.
Investigations underway
Ipoa has been handling the 2020 case, which has dragged on in court for nearly six years due to a lack of witness statements and is now proceeding as a public inquest (E010 of 2024) at a court in Kitale, scheduled for mention on May 21.
Kwanza Sub-County Police Commander Fred Abuga said his office is facilitating Ipoa investigations into the latest killing.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Riko Ngare said preliminary findings suggest the deceased may have resisted arrest, but confirmed the matter has been handed to Ipoa.
“Ipoa teams are already on the ground to investigate this incident. We cannot say much at this stage until investigations are concluded,” he said.
North Rift Ipoa coordinator Eugene Muteshi said officers have processed the scene and are recording witness statements.
“We are waiting for a post-mortem, expected either today or tomorrow, and we are actively liaising with the family,” he said.
Ipoa vice-chair and acting chair, Ms Anne Wanjiku, described the case as both “unique and deeply sad”, confirming that it has been prioritised.
“This is a very sad coincidence that two members of one family have been killed in alleged cases of police brutality. We have given this case priority even as we await the post-mortem report,” she said.
She added that delays in the 2020 case were due to a lack of witness statements but noted that efforts are ongoing to secure justice.
“We have also ensured that the late son has been enlisted by the Kenya National Human Rights Commission for compensation through the government’s established fund,” she said.
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