Titus Ngamau, popularly known as Officer Katitu, has broken his silence after completing an eight-year prison sentence over the controversial killing of a suspected criminal in Githurai. The former police officer was thrust into the national spotlight in 2013 after he was accused of fatally shooting Kenneth Kimani, a man suspected of terrorizing residents in the area.
Speaking after his release, Katitu maintained his innocence, reiterating that he did not pull the trigger. “According to the ballistic report, the bullet that was retrieved from the body of the suspect did not come from my gun,” he emphasized. “I will leave this world knowing that I was falsely jailed.”
The arrest of Katitu triggered widespread protests in Githurai, with residents taking to the streets to demand his release. To them, he was not a criminal but a hero who had taken a tough stance against rampant insecurity in their community. The public outcry, however, did not sway the legal process, and Katitu was eventually convicted and jailed.
During his time behind bars, Katitu lived under strict conditions. “My movement and interaction were restricted. I was isolated, likely because I had put some of the inmates behind bars when I was still in service,” he revealed. He was allowed to make just one two-minute phone call each month and could only see his family through a wire mesh. “Prison is not a good place. People don’t appreciate the freedom they have until it’s gone.”
A musician before joining the police force, Katitu spoke emotionally about the pain of losing his freedom and being separated from his loved ones. “Prison is hell,” he said simply.
Now a free man, Katitu’s story continues to stir debate about justice, policing, and public trust in the legal system. For many in Githurai, he remains a symbol of sacrifice and a reminder of the complex challenges facing law enforcement officers on the frontlines of crime.
