A judge has found former Ruaraka police station Officer Commanding Station(OCS), Nahashon Mutua, guilty of torturing a suspect to death in 2013 inside a cell at the station.

Nahashon Mutua was found guilty of the murder of Martin Koome after evidence showed that the late Koome was assaulted using a metal pipe and his head immersed in a drum of water.

Koome had been arrested after a domestic brawl at his home in Baba Dogo. He was admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) following the injuries before he succumbed a day later.

The OCS had previously covered up his action by alleging that Koome was hurt in a fight in the cell with other inmates, allegations that saw another suspect in the same cell, Kevin Odhiambo, charged with the murder.

Odhiambo was freed in March this year after the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) intervened. Following the probe by the IPOA, the Director of Public Prosecution entered a nolle prosequi – the dismissal or termination of legal proceedings.

The DPP instead directed that the former  OCS be charged with the murder as recommended by IPOA.

At least 18 prosecution witnesses testified against the officer who was placed on defence in December last year.

Trial Judge Stella Mutuku has directed that a probation report is filed in court on December 20 after which she will set the sentencing date. 

TWO POLICE OFFICERS CONVICTED OF MURDER

Last month two police officers were convicted of murder and sentenced to death following investigations by  IPOA.

Constables Benjamin Kahindi Changawa and Stanley Okoti were found guilty of jointly and unlawfully killing Mr. Geoffrey Nyabuto Mogoi, Mr Amos Okenye Makori and Administration Police Constable Joseph Obongo Onchuru in 2014 by shooting dead the victims, who were also relatives, at a bar in Kangemi, Nairobi.

IPOA was formed in 2012 to check police excesses against civilians, including unlawful killings, inflicting serious injuries and gross misconduct among other ills.