Police officers told to buy bread and milk for remandees after skipping court in Rashid murder trial
The unusual punishment, which replaced the typical jail term or fine with a gesture of restitution, brought rare smiles to the Kibera High Court, where only one of six summoned officers had shown up for Monday’s hearing.
Four police officers were on Thursday ordered to purchase loaves of bread, packets of milk, bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and tissue paper for remandees and court attendees after they failed to appear in court to testify against their colleague, former officer Ahmed Rashid, who is facing double murder charges.
The unexpected punishment sparked rare smiles in the courtroom, replacing the usual jail term or fine for contempt with a gesture of restitution.
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Only one of six officers summoned for Monday’s hearing at the Kibera High Court appeared. One was excused, but the remaining four were found in contempt for failing to attend.
Justice Diana Kavedza opted for a symbolic punishment, reducing the original sentence of three months in jail or a Sh10,000 fine.
“That is the punishment you pay for not attending court. You have to buy, before I let you free, one bread, one bar soap, a packet of milk, a toothbrush and toothpaste for remandees, and the rest for those present in court,” Justice Kavedza ruled.
Laughter, quiet nods
Those who entered the courtroom empty-handed left carrying food and essential supplies. Laughter and quiet nods of appreciation followed the rare show of compassion towards remandees, who are often overlooked in lengthy court proceedings.
In a separate matter, the court summoned Nation Media Group journalists Cynthia Makena and Nicholas Njoroge to appear on August 18 over a published article that claimed a witness had identified Rashid as the officer who shot one of the two victims, allegedly while the man was handcuffed.
Justice Kavedza said the article distorted the facts of the court proceedings and could sway public opinion.
“The proceedings have been typed, but you do not need to look at them. I know that is not what transpired,” the judge said.
Prosecutor Mr Moy confirmed that the article did not reflect the witness’s testimony, prompting defence lawyer Danstan Omari to accuse the publication of bias.
“That information was aimed at making the public believe that Ahmed Rashid shot somebody while handcuffed, so that when the judge finds him innocent, the public will say justice ignored the facts,” Omari argued.
In a rare move, Chief Justice Martha Koome has authorised the continuation of the trial during the judicial recess in an effort to fast-track the case, which has dragged on for nine years.
“We will resume on the 21st and hear all witnesses within four days. The Chief Justice has given me powers to work during recess; this case has taken too long,” Justice Kavedza said.
Pangani Six
Ahmed Rashid, a former member of the elite Starehe SPIV (Special Police Initiative and Vigilance) unit—also known as the Pangani Six—is accused of shooting Jamal Mohammed and Mohammed Dahir Kheri to death on March 31, 2017, outside Amal Shopping Complex in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
On Monday, video footage of the killings was played in court. Frederick Gichuki, a technical officer with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), presented the recordings before Justice Kavedza.
He testified that the surveillance footage showed a man in a red T-shirt—believed to be Ahmed—shooting one of the victims, whose hands appeared to be tied behind his back.
Gichuki said intelligence reports had warned of a potential robbery by suspected members of the Gaza gang travelling from Kayole to Eastleigh. Undercover officers were deployed to monitor and arrest the suspects.
“At around noon, some of the suspects had already reached Eastleigh,” Gichuki testified.
Video clips
In one video, an armed man is seen chasing another individual before gunshots are heard and the latter collapses. In a separate clip, a man resists arrest before being handed over to a man in a red T-shirt.
“The person who was chasing the first individual and the one in red appear to be the same,” Gichuki said.
He added that the footage showed the man in red slapping the suspect on the ground, drawing a pistol, and firing at close range.
“In the clip, the man in red is seen holding what appears to be a pistol, and moments later, he pointed the pistol downwards and fired,” he told the court.
The victims were later identified as Jamal Mohammed and Mohammed Dahir Kheri.
The trial resumes on August 21, with 21 witnesses expected to testify as the court pushes for a resolution in a case that has lingered in the justice system for nearly a decade.
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