The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking to detain Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus at the Ruaraka Police Station pending investigations into his involvement in the murder of Raphael Kimuli Wambua.
According to Investigative Officer (IO) Suleiman Mwatajiri, Tarus is suspected of murdering Kimuli Wambua on February 23, 2025, contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code Cap 63 Laws of Kenya.
Tarus, a police officer attached to VIP protection at Safaricom, is suspected of killing Wambua, who was attached to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), at the Naivas area within Ruaraka by shooting him with his pistol.
“Tarus is suspected to have fatally shot the deceased person using his firearm, a Jericho pistol s/no KP 44338440, where the matter was reported vide OB NO. 03/23/02/2025 of Ruaraka Police Station,” part of the application read.
According to the application, at the time of the incident, the deceased was in the company of his brother, Erick Ngolania Wambua, a police officer attached to the GSU headquarters.
The two brothers had reportedly gone to watch a football match and drink at a bar in the Naivas area, where they stayed until around 1:20 am.
On their way home, Tarus allegedly attacked them and shot the deceased.
In an affidavit, Watajiri stated that after the incident, Tarus was subjected to mob injustice by members of the public but was fortunately rescued by police officers from Ruaraka Police Station.
He sought to detain the suspect for 14 more days, citing that his life was in danger.
“The respondent’s life is in danger considering that on the material day he was subjected to mob injustice,” part of the application read.
Furthermore, he stated that Tarus, being a police officer, may interfere with the ongoing investigations and compromise witnesses.
Additionally, Watajiri indicated that the officer needed to undergo a mental assessment at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital before being charged with the offence.
However, Lawyer Shadrack Wambui, representing officer Tarus, strongly opposed the DCI’s proposal to subject his client to a mental assessment.
He also opposed the DCI’s application to detain the suspect for 14 more days, arguing that he had already been in custody for eight days.
Lawyer Wambui argued that his client, who has been under police surveillance, cannot interfere with investigations, adding that he has no control over the DCI’s inquiries.
Lastly, Wambui asked the court to release Tarus on bail so he could recuperate from the injuries he sustained from the mob injustice.
Milimani Law Court Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina stated that he would rule on the bail application on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.