Mombasa Murder Case: Ex-OCS Jailed for Life Over Fatal Shooting of Teen
A former senior police officer in Likoni, Mombasa County, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 20-year-old man in a case that has reignited concerns over police accountability in Kenya.
Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni handed down the sentence at the High Court of Kenya, finding Yunus Athman, a former Officer Commanding Station (OCS), guilty of killing Mbaraka Maitha Omar in 2018 at Mwenza Village.
The prosecution, led by Ngiri Wangui, presented testimony from more than 20 witnesses who placed Athman at the scene. Witnesses rejected claims that Omar posed any threat, emphasizing that he was unarmed and did not resist arrest.
Court records show that Athman shot Omar while attempting to detain him over allegations of goat theft. Several witnesses testified that multiple shots were fired, killing the young man instantly.
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Micheni underscored the gravity of Athman’s actions, noting that police officers have a statutory duty to protect life. “The abuse of state authority strikes at the heart of justice and must attract a deterrent sentence,” she said, describing the killing as a gross betrayal of public trust.
The court considered Athman’s mitigation plea, a pre-sentence report, and the victim’s impact statement before ordering him to spend the remainder of his natural life in custody. Family members of Omar told the court they continue to suffer psychological trauma following the killing, describing it as malicious and deeply unjust.
The High Court directed Athman to file any appeal against both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
The ruling marks one of the most high-profile cases in Kenya in recent years to highlight police misconduct and the urgent need for accountability in law enforcement.
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Mombasa Murder Case: Ex-OCS Jailed for Life Over Fatal Shooting of Teen