A Kiambu court detains DCI officer over fatal shooting of two bodaboda riders in Makongeni

A Kiambu court has ordered a police officer remain in custody pending a ruling on an application by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to detain him for 21 days over the fatal shooting of two bodaboda riders in Makongeni area along the Thika–Garissa Highway.

Constable Erick Gitonga Nyaga, a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer, is accused of shooting 38-year-old Kennedy Ojuma and 39-year-old Stephen Mwandwa Maweu on Sunday September 7, 2025, following a road accident involving his black Audi and two motorcycles. The incident sparked chaos in which enraged riders torched his vehicle.

According to IPOA’s Assistant Director of Forensics, Paul Njehia, traffic officers who responded to the scene found Nyaga appearing intoxicated. He allegedly refused their assistance before opening fire, killing the two riders instantly. Police later arrested him and seized his Duma pistol, serial number D09220515, as evidence.

In an affidavit, IPOA said it requires time to conduct ballistic tests on the weapon, perform postmortems on the victims, record witness statements and examine the burnt vehicle secured at Makongeni Police Station.

(Related Story: Chaos after DCI officer shoots two dead in Makongeni Thika)

Nyaga, who was represented by lawyer Philip Langat, opposed the detention request, arguing that the Constitution requires suspects to be arraigned within 24 hours unless compelling reasons are provided. He maintained that his client had not interfered with investigations and was ready to cooperate while out on bail. 

Langat also asked the court to preserve Nyaga’s clothes from the day of the incident as defence exhibits and, if detention was granted, to have him held at Gigiri Police Station for security reasons.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) supported IPOA’s plea, arguing that Nyaga’s position as a law enforcement officer and firearm holder gave him the capacity to obstruct investigations if released.

Presiding magistrate Hon. Jackline Karani directed that Nyaga remain in custody at Kiambu Police Station until Tuesday, September 9, when a ruling on IPOA’s application will be delivered.