Police Officer Jailed 30 years after IPOA investigation secures manslaughter conviction

By Stella Cherono

The High Court in Ol Kalou has today sentenced a police officer convicted of manslaughter to 30 years’ imprisonment.

The officer, William Muriuki Nyaga, was convicted on 4th February 2026. The conviction arises from the death of Stephen Githinji Ndiuni on the night of 24th May 2020, at Equator Springs Hotel in Gwa Kung’u Township, Nyandarua North Sub-County, Nyandarua County.

The officer jointly with two civilians; Francis Muriithi and Tatio Kamphine (who is still at large), were initially charged with the offence of murder. However, Justice W. Kiarie, while delivering the judgement, convicted the officer for the lesser included offense of manslaughter, finding that the prosecution had not proven malice aforethought. Francis Muriithi was acquitted.

The facts of the matter indicate that on the material date, the deceased was beaten during a violent incident at the Equator Springs hotel after being accused of involvement in an earlier attack.

Witnesses identified the three accused persons, with one witness stating that the officer assaulted the deceased using his boots until he fainted, after which he was dragged and abandoned injured. Following investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the officer was charged with murder contrary to Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code.

The Court considered whether either of the accused persons participated in the beating, whether the prosecution had rebutted the officer’s alibi, and whether the offence of murder had been proved beyond reasonable doubt, particularly the element of malice aforethought.

The Court found that the officer was present at the scene and was directly involved in the assault, and that there was sufficient evidence of his participation in the beating. However, the prosecution did not prove malice aforethought, which is required for a murder conviction.

Following the conviction and subsequent sentencing, the deceased’s family expressed gratitude to IPOA, stating that the Authority had helped realize justice for Stephen Githinji Ndiuni.

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