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Police officer to spend 30 years in jail for killing unarmed civilian
William Muriuki Nyaga, the former police officer who has been jailed for 30 years in prison for killing an unarmed man.
What you need to know:
- The policeman had been initially charged with murder alongside two civilians who were present at the scene.
- The two civilians were set freed after the court ruled hat they did not take part in the fatal assault of Githinji.
A police officer has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing an unarmed man in Nyandarua County six years ago.
While handing William Muriuki Nyaga the sentence, the High Court said the former police officer grossly abused his authority when he assaulted Stephen Githinji Ndiuni at Equator Springs Hotel in Gwa Kungu area, leaving him for dead.
“As a police officer, the public entrusted him with the responsibility of ensuring security for all. To whom much is given, much is equally expected,” the court said.
Nyaga was initially charged with murder alongside two civilians who were present at the scene. However, the two civilians were set freed after the court ruled hat they did not take part in the fatal assault of Githinji.
The charge against Nyaga was later reduced to manslaughter after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove malice aforethought, which is necessary for a murder conviction.
The incident occurred on May 24, 2020 where Githinji was suspected of being involved in an altercation at the hotel.
The court heard that those involved in the altercation before they were repulsed by the police.
A witness told the court that after the crowd was dispersed the crowd, Nyaga remained at the bar drinking.
Hours later, there was a knock on the door and the watchman reported that three men were standing outside.
Since it was during the Covid-19 curfew, Nyaga went out but the three allegedly fled upon seeing him.
After a short while, the three men returned and were chased away again and Githinji was apprehended.
Nyaga then beat him up until he fainted before dragging him to the restaurant entrance. He was found lying dead at the scene the following morning.
The court stated that Nyaga betrayed the public's trust by brutally beating the deceased and leaving him overnight to die a painful death.
The incident was investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, and International Justice Mission-Kenya represented the deceased family in the case as victims’ counsel.
