13 police officers, NIS agent charged with murder of two Indians, taxi driver
The two IT experts – Mohamed and Zulfiqar had been brought to aid the United Democratic Alliance (UDA's) technical teams.
Thirteen police officers, a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent, and a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warden have been charged with the murder of Indian nationals and a Kenyan taxi driver who disappeared in 2022.
The accused, including Chief Inspector of Police Peter Muthee Gachiko, Inspector of Police James Kibosek, and Corporals Joseph Kamau Mbugua, David Chepchieng, Joseph Mwenda, John Mwangi, and Hillary Limo, appeared before the Kiambu High Court.
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They were charged alongside Police Constables Stephen Luseno, Simon Muhuga, Paul Njogu, Boniface Otieno, Elkana Njeru, and Fredrick Thuku. Also facing charges were NIS officer John Wanjiku Macharia and KWS warden Michael Kiplangat.
The court was informed that on the night of July 22 and 23, 2022, near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, the accused, along with others not before the court, allegedly abducted and murdered Indian nationals Mohammed Zaid Sami Kidwali and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, as well as Kenyan taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania Mwange.
The victims are suspected to have been fed to wildlife animals at Aberdare National Park in Nyeri County.
The NIS officer is believed to have aided his DCI counterparts in identifying the physical location of the missing victims believed to be dead during the abduction operation.
Investigations by the National Police Service (NPS's) Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) identified three vehicles—registration numbers KDD 632J, KDH 262S and KDG 836X—believed to have been used to trail and abduct the three victims.
The National Park was identified as the possible disposal site because the tracking logs retrieved from the vehicle were suspected to have been used in the crime.
The IAU had obtained the data from the National Treasury, the custodian of details of vehicles leased by the government. The vehicles used in the crime had been leased.
The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty before Lady Justice Abigael Mshila.
The prosecution team comprised Everlyn Onunga, Augustine Gacharia, Victor Owiti, Allen Mulama, Benjamin Kelwon, and Kennedy Amwayi.
The state has opposed their release on bail, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case have changed. Prosecutors noted that bail terms previously granted at Kahawa Law Courts were in a separate matter and requested seven days to submit a formal objection.
However, defence lawyer Dunstan Omari, representing the first accused, claimed the case was being handled unfairly, describing his clients as victims of political persecution. Another defence lawyer, Kirathe Wadungi, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the accused had already spent over 18 months in custody and that bail conditions could be reviewed later if necessary.
At the time of the incident, the police officers were attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) under the now-disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU).
The case is set for mention on March 20, 2025, when directions on the bail and bond application will be issued.
Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwali and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, arrived in Kenya in April 2022 to join President William Ruto’s digital campaign team. However, on July 25, 2022, they, along with their taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania, were abducted outside Ole Sereni Hotel by unknown individuals.
Their families later linked their disappearance to state agents after CCTV footage showed their vehicle being blocked by armed men, who then left the car at the scene.
The then Acting Inspector-General of Police Noor Gabow directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to take over the investigation and submit a report. More than 21 SSU officers were questioned over their alleged involvement in the abductions and murders, and the findings were later presented to the President.
The investigation recommended the disbandment of the unit to facilitate further inquiries.
A month later, the SSU was officially dismantled, with its 58 officers disarmed and placed on compulsory 30-day leave as investigations continued.
Gabow later ordered their transfer to different units.
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