In a tragic incident at Vegas Club in Nakuru, Police Constable Nicholas Musyoka Musau is set to face murder charges for the shooting of four people over a Ksh.14,250 bill. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) issued a statement on Wednesday, directing that Musau be charged with the murder of two individuals on December 13, 2023.
The ODPP, after reviewing the inquiry file, expressed satisfaction with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority’s (IPOA) evidence against the suspect, paving the way for murder charges. The charges are in accordance with Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The suspect is scheduled to appear at the Nakuru High Court on January 10, 2024.
The ODPP had initially instructed IPOA to investigate the incident and submit an inquiry file within two weeks. The incident, which garnered widespread public condemnation, involved a dispute between PC Musau and barmaids over an unpaid debt at the local establishment.
During the altercation, Musau allegedly opened fire, resulting in the immediate death of Ms. Ann Maina and the subsequent demise of Ms. Laura Kwasira a day later. Two others sustained injuries during the incident.
Musau, reportedly in the company of others, left the premises after the shooting, leaving behind the disputed bill. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome condemned the incident and promptly ordered a comprehensive probe.
“If a police officer, like the one here in Nakuru, takes a gun into a club, drinks, refuses to pay the bill, and starts to kill people, we have no business with such kind of officers,” remarked Kindiki. Koome echoed this sentiment, stating, “When someone has been brought the bill, but they have started killing people…we are not going to wait for IPOA, he must go to court.”
This unfortunate incident has sparked concerns about police misconduct and the need for accountability within the law enforcement community. The charges against Musau highlight the commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and holding accountable those who abuse their authority.