A DCI officer has been brought to court following the fatal shooting of two riders in Thika, which occurred on Sunday, September 7, 2025. The incident, which has sparked public outcry, unfolded along the Thika-Garissa Highway after a minor traffic accident. The officer allegedly shot and killed 38-year-old Kennedy Ojuma and 39-year-old Stephen Mwenda after a road rage incident escalated.
According to reports, the confrontation began when the officer’s black Audi was involved in a non-injury accident with a motorbike. After the accident, a group of angry riders reportedly set the officer’s car on fire. In a dramatic turn of events, the officer reportedly refused help from responding traffic officers, withdrew his firearm, and opened fire, instantly killing the two riders.
Following the incident, the officer was arrested and booked at Thika Police Station. His firearm, a Duma pistol, and ammunition were confiscated. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is now seeking to detain the officer for a period of 21 days to facilitate a thorough investigation. This includes ballistic tests, postmortems, witness interviews, and further analysis of the crime scene.
On Monday, the officer was presented in court, where the Deputy Registrar, Jackline Karani, ruled that he would remain in custody at Kiambu Police Station until a ruling was made at 3 pm on Tuesday. IPOA’s request for extended detention was supported by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which emphasized the officer’s position as a licensed firearm holder and potential threat to the investigation.
The officer’s defense lawyer, Philip Langat, opposed the application, arguing that the detention should not exceed 24 hours unless there were compelling reasons. He stated that the officer had not attempted to interfere with the investigation and was willing to cooperate if granted bail. Langat also requested that his client’s clothes be preserved as evidence in case the case goes to trial. Furthermore, he requested that, if necessary, the officer be transferred to Gigiri Police Station for security reasons due to the nature of the case.
The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about the behavior of boda boda riders, who have become increasingly unruly in situations involving accidents. In recent weeks, several cases of arson involving the riders have been reported, prompting calls for greater regulation of the industry.
