Six police officers connected to the killing of the Kianjokoma brothers in Embu County have filed a petition asking for the two bodies to be exhumed.
The six; Benson Mbuthia, Consolota Kariuki, Nicholas Cheruiyot, Martin Wanyama, Lilian Cherono and James Mwanikiwere, in a certificate of urgency, want the court to give a directive that an investigation is launched before any legal action is taken against them.
“When postmortem on the cause of death of the two deceased brothers Benson Njiru and Emmanuel Ndwiga was conducted, the petitioners’ chosen pathologists were not present… this the prejudice of having a post mortem report procured by the respondents,” reads the appeal filed through their lawyer Danstan Omari.
They also need the court to order that their phones be released to enable them to transact cash to their families and lawyers.
“A conservatory order be issued restraining IPOA, DPP and IG from commencing any criminal proceedings relating to the death of the deceased until the inquest is concluded on merit,” reads the petition.
The officers have further asked to be released on bail pending the conclusion of investigations.
“An order does hereby issue to admit the petitioners from taking plea in any criminal court in respect to the death of the two deceased until the inquest is concluded,” reads the petition.
The officers being held at Capitol Hill Police Station, argue that the two brothers jumped out of the moving police vehicle while being ferried together with others, therefore succumbing to injuries.
According to officer Nicholas Cheruiyot, they arrested 10 people inclusive of the two brothers while on patrol.
However, on reaching the station they noted the two were missing.
Other suspects informed them that they had jumped out of the police vehicle while on their way to Manyatta Police Station.
The six officers have since been taken to Mathare hospital for mental assessment.
Their case will be mentioned next Tuesday.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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