A police officer accused of fatally shooting two people at a bar in Uasin Gishu has been ordered to remain in custody for ten more days as investigations continue. The officer, Erick Kirui, is under investigation for the murder of Carolyne Malakwen and Ignatius Kipchumba, which occurred at Kokwet bar in Jua Kali on June 26. One of the victims, Malakwen, is believed to have been his girlfriend.
The decision to extend Kirui’s detention was made by a senior principal magistrate in Eldoret, who also directed that the officer undergo medical examination and treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The case is set for mention on July 14.
Kirui had previously appeared before the court, with police seeking more time to conduct their investigations. The prosecution opposed his release on bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the possibility of the suspect fleeing. They emphasized that the matter involved double homicide and that critical elements of the investigation, including witness statements and ballistic tests on the weapon, remained incomplete.
The prosecution further argued that keeping the officer in custody was not only vital for the integrity of the investigation but also for his own safety, given the public outrage surrounding the case. Kirui was said to have been intoxicated and violent at the time of the incident, wielding an AK-47 rifle.
Lawyers representing the officer challenged the extended detention, arguing that Kirui had a fixed residence and posed no threat to the ongoing investigation. They noted that the suspect had cohabited with one of the deceased and was not in a position to influence the outcome of the ballistic examinations. They contended that the failure of investigators to finalize their work should not be grounds to deny the accused his constitutional right to bail.
Despite these arguments, the magistrate maintained that the gravity of the offense, combined with the incomplete investigations, provided sufficient grounds to keep the officer in custody.
Details from the initial police report painted a grim picture of the incident. Members of the public had alerted authorities about an armed officer firing shots at the bar. Responding officers found Kirui, reportedly intoxicated and aggressive, at the scene. He was disarmed and arrested while trying to flee.
The chaotic shooting incident also left another man, Antony Mbifa, injured by a stray bullet. He sustained a wound on the side of his head, though his condition was not disclosed.
The case has sparked renewed concern over the conduct of armed police officers, especially off-duty, and the need for tighter controls to prevent such deadly incidents.
