COP accuasss of Double Murder in Kua Kali to Undergo Mental Test Before Plea

By Morara Beckham

A police officer accused of killing two people, including his girlfriend, will undergo a mandatory mental assessment before taking a plea in court, the Eldoret High Court has ruled.

Deputy High Court Registrar Caroline Wattimah on Monday ordered that Eric Kirui, the accused officer, be escorted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

“I direct that the suspect be escorted to the hospital for mental assessment pending his appearance before the High Court to take a plea,” said Wattimah.

Kirui is expected to appear before a High Court judge on July 22 to respond to murder charges in connection with the shooting deaths of Caroline Malakwen, his alleged girlfriend and owner of Kokwet Pub, and Ignatius Kipchumba, popularly known as Mwala. The shooting occurred on June 23 at the Jua Kali trading centre in Uasin Gishu County, in what police suspect was a case involving a love triangle.

The suspect, who was based at Tembelio Police Station in Moiben subcounty, allegedly used his AK-47 rifle to kill the two victims at the pub located along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.

Kirui appeared in court represented by lawyers Nathan Oburu and Calvine Ojalla. During proceedings, he requested medical attention, claiming injuries sustained during his arrest by a fellow police officer.

“Your honour, I was injured by a fellow officer during my arrest, who caused harm to my body and I need urgent treatment,” Kirui told the court.

Last week, Senior Principal Magistrate Onkoba Mogire ordered that Kirui be held for ten days as police concluded their investigations. A request by his legal team to have him released on bail was denied.

Prosecutor Erick Kiama opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused posed a flight risk and investigations were still underway.

“The court must look at the gravity of the matter before deciding on bail,” Kiama said, adding that Kirui’s continued detention was also for his own safety due to the seriousness of the charges he faces.

Kiama also noted that witness statements were yet to be recorded, and that the firearm used in the incident was still pending ballistic analysis.

A police report filed after the June 23 incident indicated that members of the public alerted authorities after hearing gunshots at Kokwet Pub. Officers from the Jua Kali Police Station, accompanied by colleagues from Sugoi Patrol Base, responded and found Kirui at the scene.

“He was armed with an AK-47 rifle and was very drunk and violent,” the police report read. Kirui allegedly attempted to flee but was subdued and disarmed by the officers.

During the shooting, a third individual, Antony Stephen Mbifa, was hit by a ricocheted bullet and sustained an injury to the right side of his head. He survived the incident.

Kirui remains in custody as the legal process continues.