The High Court in Malindi on Friday convicted two former police officers for murdering a camel herder in Tana River County six years ago.
The court found PC Emmanuel Wanje and APC Brian Otieno guilty of the murder of Abdullahi Hussein Omar near Kora National Reserve as he attempted to drive away his father’s camels.
The Court heard that on the morning of 24th June 2018, the deceased had a disagreement with his father Mr Hussein Omar, over a camel he intended to sell at the Boka market.
His father approached the two police officer’s PC Emmanuel Wanje and APC Brian Otieno who were present at the market and orally reported to them that he needed their assistance in arresting Abdullahi.
By then, Abdullahi had seized the camel from his father and was already driving it towards Kora National Reserve Park, where he intended to exchange it for a different breed.
Police officers responded and pursued Abdullahi Hussein and later on fired several shots that led to his death.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority, IPOA on its own motion investigated the matter and recommended the prosecution of the two officers. The prosecution presented 17 witnesses in court.
On Friday, Justice Stephen M Githinji declared that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two police officers applied excessive force and caused the death of Abdullahi.
He said the High Court determined that there was an ingredient of malice on the part of the accused persons in their action against the deceased.
The Judge ordered that the two be held at the Malindi GK Prison pending sentencing.