Two Police Officers Jailed 35 Years for Killing Man Over Face Mask Violation

 

By Ruth Sang

 Two police officers have been sentenced to 35 years in prison each for the brutal murder of a man who was arrested in 2020 for allegedly violating COVID-19 mask mandates.

In a landmark ruling delivered on Tuesday at the Eldoret High Court, Justice Reuben Nyakundi found officers Emmanuel Wafula (38) and Godfrey Sirengo (35) guilty of murder with malice aforethought in the death of Dennis Lusava, a 31-year-old resident of Kakamega County.

Lusava was arrested on October 7, 2020, at the height of COVID-19 enforcement efforts. Prosecutors told the court that after being detained at Mbururu Police Post, Lusava was handcuffed, beaten with electric cables, punched, and kicked while in custody. Despite his injuries, he was denied medical attention.

In a shocking attempt to cover up the crime, the officers later disposed of his body in River Nzoia. His death was initially undocumented, but public outcry and intervention by human rights organizations led to an investigation and the eventual trial.

The prosecution presented evidence from 21 witnesses and 27 exhibits, building a case that Justice Nyakundi ruled proved the officers' guilt "beyond reasonable doubt."

“The actions of the accused were deliberate and cruel,” said Justice Nyakundi in his judgment. “They grossly misused the authority entrusted to them and attempted to conceal their actions by discarding the body.”

The defense had requested non-custodial sentences, citing remorse and the officers’ service records. However, the court firmly rejected the plea, citing the need for accountability and deterrence.

“This court will not tolerate abuse of power by those charged with protecting the public,” the judge added.

The case has sparked widespread debate and calls for deeper police reforms in Kenya. Human rights groups welcomed the ruling, describing it as a rare but significant victory in the fight against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.

“This verdict sends a strong message that no one is above the law,” said Wanjiku Kamau of the Civil Liberties Monitoring Project. “We hope it marks a turning point in the accountability of security forces.”

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) also issued a statement praising the court's decision and reaffirming its commitment to investigating misconduct within the police service.

The ruling is one of the most high-profile convictions of police officers since Kenya ramped up enforcement of public health directives during the COVID-19 pandemic—measures that, while intended to protect, were at times marred by allegations of excessive force and abuse.

For the Lusava family, the sentence brings long-awaited justice, though the pain remains.

“We have waited four years for this day,” said a family spokesperson outside the courtroom. “Dennis was treated worse than a criminal. Today, we feel heard.”