IPOA seeks 21-day detention for Kiambu officer accused of killing two boda boda riders
IPOA asked that Police Constable Eric Gitonga Nyaga be held at Kiambu Police Station for 21 days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the deaths of Kennedy Ojuma and Stephen Mwendwa Maweu.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Monday filed an application at the Kiambu Law Courts seeking to detain a police officer accused of fatally shooting two boda boda riders along the Thika–Garissa highway.
In the application presented before Deputy Registrar Jackline Karani, IPOA asked that Police Constable Eric Gitonga Nyaga be held at Kiambu Police Station for 21 days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the deaths of Kennedy Ojuma (38) and Stephen Mwendwa Maweu (39).
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Through a Notice of Motion, IPOA argued that Nyaga’s detention was necessary to facilitate forensic analysis of his firearm, post-mortem examinations of the deceased, and interviews with witnesses, including other police officers. The authority also cited the need to reconstruct the crime scene and gather additional evidence.
According to an affidavit sworn by Paul Njihia, Assistant Director of Forensics at IPOA, preliminary investigations revealed that on September 7, 2025, the officer, who was allegedly intoxicated, was involved in a minor traffic accident while driving his black Audi, registration number KDC 053K, near Thika.
Traffic officers who arrived at the scene reportedly attempted to disarm him, but Nyaga allegedly resisted and shot two civilians, who died instantly. He was later subdued, arrested, and disarmed by police. His firearm, loaded with 9mm ammunition, was recovered as evidence.
During the chaos, members of the public set Nyaga’s vehicle on fire. The bodies of the two men were taken to General Kago Mortuary, while the burnt vehicle was towed to Makongeni Police Station.
Njihia told the court that IPOA launched investigations immediately after receiving reports of the incident, in line with its mandate under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act to investigate deaths or serious injuries linked to police actions.
He added that post-mortems were yet to be carried out, the firearm was awaiting forensic testing, and crucial witness statements still needed to be recorded.
The Deputy Registrar ordered that Nyaga remain in custody until Tuesday, September 9, 2025, when the court will rule on IPOA’s request for 21 more days of detention.
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