Nairobi, Kenya- Five years after a 17-year-old student was shot dead by police during the height of Covid-19 restrictions, his family in Likoni, Mombasa County, says justice has stalled—and the silence from state agencies has only deepened their grief.
Matano Masoud, a Form Three student, was killed in 2021 after police allegedly dragged him out of a building before shooting him six times, according to his father, Masoud Matano.
An autopsy report later confirmed that the teenager suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and back, and died from excessive bleeding.
IPOA Found Fault, But Case Stalled at ODPP
The family says investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) established police culpability, citing excessive use of force.
The case file was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)—where, they claim, it has remained untouched for nearly six years.
“We contacted IPOA immediately. They investigated, documented the scene, and forwarded the file to the ODPP,” Matano said.
“Since then, there has been complete silence. We are left grieving, confused, and denied our constitutional right to justice.”
The family accuses the ODPP of unprocedural shelving of the case, despite the gravity of the findings.
Mother Says State Has Abandoned Her Family
Matano’s mother, Umi Mramba, says the prolonged inaction has left her feeling abandoned by the state, especially after seeing other police-related cases move swiftly through the justice system.
“I have watched similar cases being taken seriously and justice served,” she said.
“But my son’s case appears forgotten. I am asking for nothing special—only the same justice accorded to other Kenyans.”
Activists Issue Seven-Day Ultimatum
Human rights groups have now stepped in, warning that continued inaction could spark protests.
Bradley Ouna, Coordinator of the Coast Social Justice Travelling Theatre (CSJTT), described the matter as a failure of both administrative justice and access to justice.
“The ODPP’s inaction five years later points either to interference or a blatant disregard for the family’s suffering,” Ouna said.
Civil society organisations have issued the ODPP a seven-day ultimatum to revive the case, warning of demonstrations if no action is taken.
“We will visit the ODPP offices in seven days. If this case is not reopened, we will protest until justice is served,” Ouna added.
A Test Case for Police Accountability
The case adds to ongoing concerns over police accountability, particularly incidents that occurred during the enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions—a period marked by numerous allegations of excessive force.
For the Matano family, the demand remains simple: accountability, closure, and justice long overdue.
