Trial of Pangani police officer accused of murder postponed due to officer's absence in court
In a highly sensitive case, six police officers were fined Sh10,000 each and threatened with three months’ imprisonment for failing to testify against former Pangani Police Station officer Ahmed Rashid in his murder trial. The court ordered the Inspector General of Police to ensure their appearance in court or provide satisfactory written explanations for their absence.
The controversial incident involves Ahmed Rashid’s alleged killing of two unarmed teenagers, Jamal Mohamed and Mohamed Dahir Kheri, on March 31, 2017, in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi. Video footage from the city’s surveillance system, verified by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), shows Rashid shooting the two teens at close range in broad daylight. The footage further depicts Rashid slapping a wounded teen before shooting again.
The officers were scheduled to testify against Rashid in court on July 31, 2025. However, it is alleged that Robert Rono, one of the officers, informed the court that his colleagues refused to testify, then disappeared. Prosecutor Christine Timoi stated that Rono has not responded to calls or text messages from the investigating officer.
The background of the case involves Rashid, who has been linked to as many as 43 such deaths in Nairobi’s Eastleigh and Mathare areas. Rashid pleaded not guilty when charged in 2023 and was released on bail. The court will consider lifting the orders if the officers submit written explanations deemed satisfactory.
The case highlights the broader issue of police violence and accountability in Kenya. Frederick Gichuki, who was in charge of the police Integrated Command and Control Centre at the time, claimed that there was a deployment of officers in civilian clothing after an intelligence report of 10 armed Gaza gang members in a matatu for Eastleigh. Gichuki stated that the gang was a menace, robbing business people and killing, among others, police officers. However, Gichuki could not provide information on what happened to the gang after the incident or confirm whether Jamal and Dahir were part of the gang.
Gichuki also claimed that the person seen in the video chasing after the one holding a red jacket had fired a warning shot. He stated that police are allowed to aim and shoot a person’s leg if they defy arrest or flee to demobilize. However, Gichuki was hard pressed to explain if the two who were killed in broad daylight were armed.
Danstan Omari, Rashid's lawyer, argued that the State had enough time to prepare its witness and asked the court not to issue a warrant of arrest, citing the nature of the officers' job. Justice Diana Kavedza ordered the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to ensure the officers appear in court on July 31, 2025.
The case is a significant step towards holding police officers accountable for their actions and promoting justice for the victims and their families. The court's decision to fine the officers and threaten imprisonment for their failure to testify sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
- The incident in question, which involves the controversial police officer Ahmed Rashid and the killing of two unarmed teenagers, is not just a criminal case, but also a testament to the broader issue of police violence and accountability in Kenya's general-news landscape.
- As the trial against Ahmed Rashid progresses, the refusal of six police officers to testify in court, as alleged by Prosecutor Christine Timoi, may impact not only the crime-and-justice aspect of the case, but also the health of Kenya's political climate, as it questions the integrity of the force.
- The epaper headlines regarding this case are likely to include discussion about the business implications of police violence, as the public's trust in the force may affect their confidence in doing business in areas patrolled by the police.
