DPP Keriako Tobiko approves murder charges against senior police officer

Chief Inspector Nahashon Mutua walks past a matatu with a placard criticising him on Outer Ring Road on June 17, 2013. He faces murder charges over the death from torture of a man who was being held at the Ruaraka Police Station.

A senior police officer faces a murder charge after a man who had been arrested was allegedly tortured to death.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko approved the charge against Chief Inspector Nahashon Mutua following investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

The officer was the commander of Nairobi's Ruaraka Police Station but has since been transferred. Investigators found out that Mr Martin Koome Manyara was beaten at the station, sustaining serious injuries that caused his death.

"He was hit several times with a rod and his head immersed in water at Ruaraka Police Station after which he was locked up in the cells overnight despite his injuries.

Mr Manyara was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital the following day from where he died," according to a statement by Ipoa's Public Relations Officer Dennis Oketch.

He added: "The DPP concurred with the authority’s findings and recommendations. On August 24, the ODPP directed that Chief Inspector Nahashon Mutua be arrested and charged with the murder." At least five police officers are facing serious offences in court on the recommendations of the civilian oversight authority.

It is a departure from the past when errant officers were investigated by their colleagues and often walked scot-free.

nation.co.ke