Former Police Boss Jailed for Life After High Court Convicts Him in Murder Case
The High Court has sentenced former senior police officer Yunus Athman to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of murdering a young man in a case that has drawn widespread public attention across the country.
The judgment brings to an end a long legal process that began after the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Mbaraka Maitha Omar in 2018 at Mwenza Village in Likoni, Mombasa.
The court heard that Athman, who was serving as the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Likoni at the time, used excessive and unlawful force during an attempted arrest.
The incident sparked national debate about police conduct, the use of firearms by officers, and the need for stronger accountability within the police service.
Many observers viewed the case as an important test of whether officers could be held responsible for actions taken while on duty.
In delivering the ruling, Wendy Kagendo Micheni stated that police officers are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting citizens and preserving life.
She emphasized that Athman had failed in that duty by using lethal force against an unarmed civilian who posed no immediate danger.
According to the judge, the evidence presented showed that the actions taken were not justified under the law and amounted to a serious abuse of authority.
The prosecution, led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, called more than 20 witnesses during the trial. Their testimonies placed the former OCS at the scene of the shooting and challenged the claim that the victim had threatened the officer.
Witnesses consistently stated that Omar was unarmed and did not resist arrest at the time he was shot. The court was told that Athman fired several shots while attempting to arrest the young man over allegations of goat theft, leading to his immediate death.
Further testimony presented during the proceedings reinforced the conclusion that the victim had not posed any threat that could justify the use of a firearm.
This raised serious concerns about the misuse of police power and the consequences of officers acting outside the limits of the law. The case became symbolic of broader public concerns regarding police accountability and the protection of human rights.
Members of the victim’s family told the court that the killing caused deep emotional pain and long-lasting trauma. They described the incident as a betrayal of public trust, saying that the loss continued to affect them years after the shooting. Their victim impact statements were considered by the court before the final sentence was issued.
In her final decision, Justice Micheni noted that after reviewing mitigation submissions, pre-sentence reports, and the impact on the victim’s family, a life sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of the offence. The court ruled that Athman would serve a custodial sentence for the remainder of his natural life.
However, the former officer has been informed of his legal right to challenge both the conviction and the sentence. The court directed that he may file an appeal within 14 days should he choose to pursue the matter further through the appellate process.
Join Tutam Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
