Nakuru Police Officer Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing His Senior

By Janet Philip

A police constable has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his senior officer in a shocking incident that unfolded last year at the K9 Unit police station in Nakuru East sub-county.

Constable Jackson Kipkoech Konga was found guilty by the Nakuru High Court of fatally shooting Sergeant Christopher Kimeli on August 8, 2023, following a heated confrontation during a morning routine check.

According to court proceedings, tensions flared when Sergeant Kimeli questioned Konga about his handling of two theft suspects brought to the K9 Unit the previous night. Konga, who had been assigned sentry duty at Gate B, claimed Kimeli insulted him in front of colleagues, calling him “stupid” and accusing him of failing to escort the suspects to Nakuru Central Police Station.

In his testimony, Konga said the confrontation escalated after Kimeli allegedly grabbed his firearm, leading to a struggle. He claimed that during the tussle, the rifle's nozzle pointed at Kimeli’s chest, and the fatal shot was discharged—allegedly when Kimeli himself pulled the trigger.

However, presiding judge Justice Julius Nangea dismissed this defense, pointing to eyewitness accounts and evidence that contradicted Konga’s version of events. The court heard that Konga had been visibly angry after the argument, cocked his gun, and walked out of the report office, followed closely by Kimeli.

“It is uncontroverted that the deceased followed him, and it was then—about 50 meters from the station’s main gate—that Konga turned and shot him,” ruled Justice Nangea.

Several officers who testified during the trial confirmed that Konga immediately surrendered his weapon after the shooting, stating he had “finished” Kimeli and was now “a civilian.”

Ballistic and forensic evidence, including matching cartridge casings and a postmortem report showing a close-range chest wound, supported the prosecution’s case that Konga had fired intentionally.

While acknowledging that Konga may have been provoked, Justice Nangea said the response was excessive and deliberate.

“The act of cocking a loaded rifle, leaving the office, and then firing at the chest of a fellow officer shows clear malice aforethought. The prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge concluded.