Court to rule on request to detain cop over fatal shooting of colleague in Nairobi 

A Nairobi Chief Magistrate court will on March 4, rule whether it will allow the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) application seeking to detain a police officer attached to the VIP protection unit at Safaricom’s CEO Peter Ndegwa over murder.

The constable of police is linked to the fatal shooting of a fellow officer in Ruaraka and the DCI wants him be detained pending hearing and determination.

Police constable Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus is suspected of fatally shooting police constable Raphael Kimuli Wambua, a police officer attached to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

The incident reportedly took place on February 23, 2025, outside a Naivas supermarket in Ruaraka.

The DCI through Constable Suleiman Mwatajiri, sought 14 days detention for Tarus at Ruaraka Police Station pending investigations.

The DCI argued that further investigations are needed, including a mental assessment of the accused at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and ballistic analysis of the firearm allegedly used in the shooting.

The DCI told Chief magistrate Lucas Onyina that they are yet to record a comprehensive statement from the officer and collecting witness testimonies.

“The respondent’s life is in danger, considering he was subjected to mob injustice on the day of the incident,” read court documents.

Additionally, prosecution argued that, as a police officer, the suspect could interfere with witnesses if released.

“Due to the seriousness of the offence, the respondent might not present himself to court if released,” said the prosecution.

According to the prosecution, on the night of the incident,police officer Wambua and his brother, Police officer Erick Ngolania Wambua, an officer attached to the GSU headquarters, had gone to watch football and have drinks at Wasafi Bar in Ruaraka.

As they walked home around 12:20 AM, they were allegedly confronted by Tarus, who is suspected of shooting officer Wambua fatally.

Following the shooting, Tarus was reportedly subjected to mob justice by members of the public before being rescued by officers from Ruaraka Police Station.