The trial of a police officer charged with the murder of Yassin Moyo_ the 13 -year old boy who was shot during the enforcement of coronavirus curfew in 2020 _ has failed to start.

The case against officer Duncan Ndiema had been scheduled to run on Monday all through to Wednesday. But the case was adjourned after defence lawyer Danstan Omari failed to appear in court.

Omari, the court heard, was held up in another murder trial in Mombasa involving MP Aisha Jumwa. 

The prosecution was ready to proceed, with four witnesses, among them, a High school student. 

“This is a public interest case which involves a minor and I pray for a near date,” the prosecution told justice Justus Bwonwong’a.

Representing the victims, lawyer Janice Muchemi from International Justice Mission said it is unfortunate that the murder case is yet to take off more than a year since the shooting occurred. 

“Your honour the three dates were picked by consent of all parties. I urge this court to consider that the incident occurred in 2020 and we are now in 2022,” said Miss Muchemi.

The lawyer also informed the court that one of the witnesses is a form four candidate. 

“I ask this court to consider the witness who is a form four candidate who needs time to concentrate on her studies and grant us a near hearing date,” Muchemi argued. 

Consequently, the judge directed the matter to be mentioned on Wednesday to pick new hearing dates.

Yassin was shot on the balcony of his family home in Huruma on March 27, 2020, after the government imposed the 7 pm curfew to contain Covid-19.

Ndiema, who is currently out on bail, was charged following an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. He is out on bail.