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| Margaret Njeri |
A senior prosecution counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Lamu County, Mr Japheth Isaboke, told the Nation that the DPP’s office had recommended that the policeman be prosecuted and charged with manslaughter.
“We have already recommended prosecution of the officer who did that. We have recommended manslaughter charges against him because there was no intent for murder,” Mr Isaboke said.
But he indicated that the whereabouts of the policeman were unknown and that he was being sought by officers in Malindi, where he is said to have gone on a short leave.
“The officer has not yet appeared at the DCIO’S offices in Malindi and his lawyer, who promised to present him, has not turned up. He seems to have gone into hiding.
“Police in Malindi are actually doing a physical search for the officer. From our office, we have done our part of recommending charges and it is the responsibility of the police to arrest him,” Mr Isaboke added.
He said the policeman’s mobile number, which was being tracked, had apparently been changed.
“They have tried to even track him through his phone, but he seems to have changed his line, but somehow he has to be arrested,” he added.
He said that after the incident the officer was immediately transferred from Mpeketoni to Hindi so that he would not interfere with investigations.
Mr Isaboke said the DPP’s office was following the matter but had delayed in taking action as there were some technicalities involved.
“There was a delay in the case because we could not tell whether the victim would survive or not and we could not even charge the officer with murder or manslaughter. There was a technicality issue,” he added.
Mr Isaboke said the officer would be charged in Lamu once he is arrested.
The victim, Margaret Njeri,'s family, however, is making funeral arrangements as they await an autopsy later Thursday.
