KARATINA, Kenya — An Administration Police officer accused of fatally shooting a businessman in Karatina has been ordered to remain in custody for 14 days as investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) continue, amid public outrage and growing calls for accountability.
Constable Peter Wamiti appeared before the Nyeri Law Courts on Tuesday, where Senior Resident Magistrate Mary Gituma ruled that he should be held in custody pending the outcome of preliminary investigations into the killing of George Gathu.
Prosecutors had applied for Wamiti to be detained for 21 days to allow IPOA to complete investigations. However, the court granted a reduced 14-day custody period, citing security concerns and the risk of interference with witnesses.
“This court notes the public outcry over the issue and finds that the security of the officer is a concern,” Magistrate Gituma said in her ruling.
“While the officer may be admitted to bail or bond, I don’t find that to be appropriate at this stage for the above reasons,” she added.
According to IPOA, the fatal shooting followed a brief confrontation between police officers on patrol and the deceased. Details of what triggered the confrontation remain under investigation, with the oversight authority indicating that statements are being recorded from witnesses and officers involved.
The killing has heightened tensions in Karatina, with residents staging protests and demanding justice for Gathu, who they described as a well-known businessman in the town. Demonstrators accused the police of using excessive force and called for transparency in the handling of the case.
Human rights organisations have also weighed in, urging IPOA and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure an independent, impartial, and speedy investigation.
“The circumstances surrounding this shooting raise serious constitutional questions about the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers,” said one human rights advocate, pointing to Article 244 of the Constitution, which requires the National Police Service to comply with constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
IPOA has increasingly come under pressure to deliver timely and credible outcomes in cases involving police use of force, particularly where civilians lose their lives.
Under the IPOA Act, the authority is mandated to investigate deaths and serious injuries resulting from police actions and to recommend prosecutions where criminal liability is established.
Wamiti is expected to be returned to court on February 3, when he is scheduled to take a plea. Prosecutors indicated that by then, IPOA will have made significant progress in its investigations.
As the legal process unfolds, Gathu’s family and the Karatina community continue to demand justice, with rights groups warning that failure to act decisively could further erode public confidence in law enforcement.
