Woes For DCI After IPOA Probes Killing Of Two Robbers In Murang'a

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations following a report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) which revealed that two armed robbers were shot dead hours after staging a robbery at a Sacco's branch in Murang'a County.

In a statement dated Monday, March 13, IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori noted that the initial probe has so far placed police officers among those involved in the killings.

The DCI had revealed that the robbers were killed by a multi-agency police team on Sunday, March 12 in a fierce shootout in the morning in Kigumo, and two assault rifles were recovered thereafter.

IPOA chairperson, Anne Makori. /FILE

"Section 25 (1) of the IPOA Act, demands that "the Authority shall investigate any death or serious injury including death or serious injury while in Police custody, which are the result of Police action or were caused by members of the Service while on duty."

"Moreover, the same Act in subsection (2) demands that "the Police shall upon a death or serious injury as contemplated in subsection (1) take all necessary steps to secure evidence which may be relevant for the investigation, including pictorial and written evidence, and shall in writing notify the Authority, and supply it with the evidence and all other facts relevant to the matter, including, if available, the names and contact details of all persons who may be able to assist the Authority should it decide to conduct an investigation."," stated IPOA in part.

The authority added that Murang'a County Commander, Ali Nuno has since notified the Authority's Regional Office in Nyeri, of the incident, in line with the provisions of the NPS Act, Sixth Schedule, that any death is reported to IPOA within 24 hours.

"Our Coordinator in Central Region has further engaged the Regional Police Commander - Ms Lydia Ligami - with the aim of ensuring that the dictates of the law, regarding this investigation, are adhered to.

"Further, IPOA has dispatched a Rapid Response Team from Nairobi, to beef up our Nyeri regional investigators," added IPOA

Upon conclusion of its investigations, the Authority announced that it will take appropriate action including recommending to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, the prosecution of any person found culpable.

The two, who were part of a gang of six thieves who raided the Sacco's branch on Saturday, March 11, were cornered at their hideout in Kigumo which the DCI stated was crawling with wild animals.

"Yesterday, the thugs had staged a robbery at a Sacco in Mununga branch, within Kigumo town, where they made away with an unknown amount of money after disarming a police officer and taking possession of his G3 rifle," stated the agency in part.

The marauding gang of six that had been on police radar had on February 25, 2023, wrestled an AK-47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition from a police officer on patrol within the Muthithi area, which they used in the robbery incident. 

In a joint operation by officers from Murang’a county backed up by an elite team from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, the officers combed the Kinyona forest before coming across the two who challenged them to a duel.

"What followed was a volley of fierce gunfire that brought the entire forest ecosystem to a standstill, as the officers returned fire with remarkable precision killing the two on the spot. 

"The two police rifles were recovered following the onslaught and a bag containing Ksh1.13 million stolen from the Sacco was recovered," added the DCI.

However, the report by the DCI was questioned by a Kenyan who tasked the sleuths to explain why they deleted the images of the dead suspects after another one surfaced at the same time.

The image which could not be independently verified by Viral Tea showed two men seated and surrounded by police officers, wearing the same clothes as the ones gunned down, and were spotted alive.

DCI was still yet to respond to the new queries raised by Kenyans by the time of publication.