Ex-Pangani officer Ahmed Rashid’s colleagues say they didn’t witness youths’ shooting
The officers appeared on Monday before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera Law Courts during the hearing of Rashid’s murder case.
Five police officers who previously worked alongside former Pangani police officer Ahmed Rashid told a Kibera court that they did not see him shoot or kill two youths in Eastleigh in 2017.
The officers — Chief Inspector Abdul Rahman Ndegwa, Owen Oketch Ausi, Corporal Gideon Kibet Ruto, Constable Robert Rono, and Wilfred Omboga — appeared on Monday before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera Law Courts during the hearing of Rashid’s murder case.
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Rashid is accused of fatally shooting two youths. He is represented by lawyers Danstan Omari and Stanley Kinyanjui.
Omboga told the court that on March 30, 2017, he was on duty from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. The next day, at about 2:00 pm, he received a call from the then OCS, informing him that suspected thugs had been sighted in Eastleigh.
"I left with my colleagues for Eastleigh First Avenue and found the road impassable due to a large crowd. We began dispersing the crowd, and there were many officers present, including Rashid," Omboga testified.
He added that he was carrying an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, and fired four shots into the air to control the crowd. Once the road cleared, he saw two youths lying dead, allegedly members of the Gaza gang. "I did not see Rashid shooting or killing the two youths," he told the court.
Constable Rono also testified, saying he was on duty that day with three colleagues, all dressed in plain clothes as part of the SPIV unit and armed with Jericho pistols.
He admitted his firearm was not recorded in the movement book as required, but explained that it was common practice as long as the weapon was not misused.
Rono confirmed that Rashid was his senior but stressed that he never handed over his firearm to him to kill the two youths.
Corporal Ruto, now based in Wajir, said the SPIV unit consisted of about 50 Pangani officers. Rashid led one of the units, and officers generally reported to him unless a matter was critical, in which case they reported directly to the OCS.
Ruto said he was not on duty during the incident but later reported in the evening, where he learned via social media that two suspected thugs had been killed.
He described the Gaza gang as a violent group known for killing police officers, stealing their uniforms and rifles, and terrorising residents.
The prosecution still has 21 witnesses lined up, with 10 having testified so far.
The hearing continues on Tuesday, August 19.
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