IPOA Investigating Nakuru police killings of four as police boss denies he is a killer cop after neighbours accuse police of cover up 

By Missing Voices Team

Residents of Nakuru West Subcounty in Nakuru county including a rights defender David Kuria have accused local police of extrajudicial killings of four youths last week July 15.

The four killed include two brothers who are orphans.

A neighbour has deconstructed a police version where police said the four were killed after members of the public alerted them about a gang that was attacking unsuspecting passer’s by at night at Kwa Maiko village in Barut. Police laid ambush and killed the four.

The neighbour said, “We do not oppose security agents conducting their patrols at night, because it is for our own good as residents, but the young souls that were killed were innocent.

They could have arrested them and let the law take it’s course instead of killing them.”

Kuria appealed to the Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai to investigate the matter using investigators from outside Nakuru.

Kuria said, “I have talked with neighbours and some of the relatives and what I gathered was that the boys were picked up from their houses by officers and executed in the house of one of the victims. The matter should be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

According to an article published on July 18 by a local publication Nation.Africa, neighbours said that Collins Kibet, Collins Kipkorir, Kevin Kipyegon were picked from their houses and taken to Denis Kipchirchir’s house.

Kibet and Kipkorir were killed inside Kipchirchir’s house while Kipyegon and Kipchirchir who are brothers and orphans were killed outside the house in the same compound. The orphans are said to have lost both parents at a tender age.

Contacted, the Independent Police Oversight Authority chair person Anne Makori told Missing Voices that he Authority is aware of shooting of the four people. “The authority is aware of this matter and dispatched its rapid investigations team this morning. Investigations are thus ongoing. On conclusion IPOA will make appropriate recommendations to address the matter either through the criminal justice system or through internal disciplinary mechanisms” She told Missing Voices.

Nakuru county police commander Peter Mwanzo has denied claims he is a killer cop.

Speaking to Missing Voices on Monday evening, July 18,2022,he said he conducts intelligence led crime prevention. “ The boys I tell you and can swear by the name of the living God no one was innocent. I will never put down anyone innocent. I would assume that it is me, my brother or even my sister.” He told Missing Voices.

He said the four had turned violent against police officers who were pursuing them after police were tipped by residents about their criminal activities at Kwa Maiko village.

“Those who don’t turn violent against police have been arraigned.” Mwanzo said.