Police Officers Charged

Five police officers who were being linked with the killing of a middle aged man in Kamenya area, Rangwe sub-county three years ago have been fined Ksh. 500,000 each by the Homabay Law Courts. This was after the officers denied the charges before the court.

The five officers who include Michael Ochanjo, Silas Anyira, Benard Maritim, Steven Owino and Wycliffe Cheptoo were all presented before Senior Magistrate W. Kiarie being charged of killing Silvanus Owinji on 17th September 2017.

The officers together with another officer identified as Edwin Moenga attacked the deceased’s home with claims that he was trading in bhang. Magistrate Kiarie said that the officers left the deceased with severe injuries that in turn led to his death.

The officers were arrested this month at Rangwe police station as one of them ran away and disappeared to date.

Explaining the incident before the court, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) officer Anne Makoro said that the six officers used excessive force while arresting the deceased, leaving him with severe injuries.

She went ahead to explain that the officers detained the man at Rangwe police station where he experienced several difficulties before he was taken to Homabay County Referral Hospital to get treatment, where he later succumbed to the injuries on the second day of the treatment. The case will be read again on 1st March 2022.