Four General Service Unit (GSU) officers convicted of murdering a Changáa (hard liquor) brewer four years ago will now spend 15 years in jail.

The officers – Inspector of Police Harrison Mwa and Constables John Kimweli, Linus Kipngetich and Joseph Mureithi – were found guilty of beating MS. Mary Chepkorir Kiprotich to death in March 2020 at her home in Laikipia County during a crackdown on illicit brew.

Justice Charles Kariuki while sentencing the four, said that the punishment would serve as a lesson to other police officers who use excessive force while discharging their duties.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigated the matter and recommended the prosecution of the officers alongside two Administration chiefs; Chief Kiambogo location Mr. David Kipkemoi Kebenei and his Assistant Chief Gatirima Magdalene Nachapai who were however acquitted on benefit of doubt.

Justice Charles Kariuki while delivering the judgement said the Prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that there was malice aforethought for the four former police officers. He decried the normalization of police brutality in the country.

During the trial, the four officers had claimed that the deceased had been an illicit brew seller and that on the date of arrest, they had gone to arrest her at her home but she resisted arrest. They argued on grounds that they had no pre-determined plot to kill her.

Justice Kariuki however, pointed out that it was not possible that four trained GSU, the area chief and assistant chief would have been overpowered by an expectant woman to warrant such senseless beating.

“The act of beating the victim with extreme cruelty led to her death the same day. If the mission were just to arrest the victim, the 4 GSU officers and chief and Assistant Chief would not have been overwhelmed by the victim, a female gender. None indicated that the victim ought to have been beaten to facilitate arrest,” said Justice Kariuki.

The Court, however agreed that the maximum sentence (death penalty) was not suitable in the circumstances of the case.

While seeking leniency, the officers cited personal health concerns and familial obligations. However, the court ruled out the possibilities of noncustodial sentence.