DCI seeks to detain police officer who allegedly shot and killed colleague in Ruaraka

Police Constable Ezekiel Kipckoech Tarus in the dock at the Milimani Law Courts on March 3, 2025. (Photo: Joseph Ndunda)

By Joseph Ndunda
Monday, March 3, 2025

Tarus opposed the application to detain him, arguing that it does not require his incarceration for the pending investigations to be conducted.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking court orders to detain a police officer who allegedly shot his colleague dead over unknown issues in Ruaraka, Nairobi a week ago.

Police Constable Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus is the suspect in the murder of Raphael Kimuli Wambua attached to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

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Tarus allegedly shot and killed Wambua on February 21 using his Jericho pistol.

Wambua was walking home with his brother, Police Constable Erick Ngolania, when they were confronted by Tarus who shot the deceased.

In an affidavit filed in court, PC Suleiman Mwatajiri of Starehe DCI offices said the two brothers were returning home around 1 am after watching a football game when they met with Tarus.

"The respondent (Tarus) after the incident, was subjected to mob injustice by members of the public where officers from Ruaraka Police Station rescued him," PC Mwatajiri.

Mwatajiri said he is investigating a case of murder and he needs 14 days to complete investigations, including interrogating the suspect and recording his statement to support the investigations.

Other areas of investigation include forwarding the spent cartridges collected at the scene together with the firearm to the DCI headquarters for examination by ballistic experts, recording statements of prosecution witnesses, escorting the suspect for mental assessment and conducting an identification parade.

PC Mwatajiri said the suspect may not present himself for investigations if released on bond, owing to the seriousness of the matter under investigation.

He also argued that Tarus' life is in danger considering that on the day he allegedly shot the deceased, he was subjected to mob injustice and may compromise witnesses, given that he is a police officer.

"I pray this court to grant me an order to detain the respondent at Ruaraka Police Station for fourteen days to enable me to conclusively investigate this matter,” Mwatajiri said.

Through his lawyer, Tarus opposed the application to detain him, arguing that it does not require his incarceration for the pending investigations to be conducted.

The suspect has been in hospital since the assault by the public.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina will make a ruling on the matter tomorrow (Tuesday).