DPP Orders Arrest of Six Police Officers over Murder of Two Brothers in Embu

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered the arrest of 6 police officers linked to the murder of Embu brothers Benson Njiru and Emanuel Mutura.

Haji directed the Inspector-General of Police to immediately arrest and arraign the six to avoid any interference with evidence and intimidation of witnesses.

The arrest order comes after an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) established a prima facie case against the six cops for the murder of the two siblings.

In a report on Monday, IPOA recommended that the officers be relieved of their duties pending the outcome of an independent review of the findings.

“As it stands now, the six officers face a capital offense – murder. This recommendation is not likely to take a different direction,” IPOA stated.

IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori said the authority is also pursuing other charges including negligence in the performance of duty that may have been committed by any other officers.

While interdicting the six officers, Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai ordered them to surrender any government property in their possession, including firearms. The identities of the six officers are yet to be revealed.

The bodies of Njiru (22) and Mutura (19) were found at Embu Level 5 Hospital mortuary after they were allegedly arrested by police for flouting COVID-19 protocols.

The two were reportedly apprehended by officers from the Manyatta police station on August 1st after they were found selling pig meat at Kianjakoma trading center past curfew hours.

Njiru was a student at Don Bosco Technical Institute while Mutura was studying at Kabarak University. The two were laid to rest in an emotional send-off at their Kianjokoma home in Embu County on Friday.