A police officer assigned to the VIP security detail of Safaricom CEO has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting incident during a bar altercation in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
The Accused and the Incident
Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus, the accused officer, appeared before Justice James Wakiaga at the Milimani Court, where he was charged with the murder of Raphael Kimuli Wambua, a police officer attached to the Central Bank of Kenya.
The tragic event unfolded on the night of February 23, 2025, when the deceased and his brother, Erick Ngolania Wambua—a GSU officer—were enjoying drinks and watching football at Wasafi Bar.
According to the prosecution, as the duo was leaving the bar at approximately 1:20 a.m., they encountered Tarus, who allegedly shot Raphael Kimuli using his Jericho pistol, serial number 44338440.
Aftermath of the Shooting
Following the incident, an enraged mob attacked Tarus, leaving him injured. Police officers from the Ruaraka Police Station intervened and rushed him to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
Legal Proceedings
Through his legal representatives, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, Tarus requested bail, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with court directives and arguing that his continued detention was unwarranted.
While the prosecution initially sought to detain the accused for 14 days for further investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) eventually ordered that Tarus be formally charged with murder.
Tarus pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000, with a similar surety. The court imposed strict conditions, including prohibiting contact with witnesses and requiring him to report to the investigating officer every Thursday until the trial concludes.
Next Steps
The court has scheduled the hearing of the case for May 20, 2025.
