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Nairobi Court Detains Police Officer Charged with Manslaughter Ahead of Bail Ruling
"Your honour, the accused is a trained police officer, and there is a likelihood of interfering with witnesses in the matter, some of whom are police officers and civilians and can access them," Kariuki submitted.
A Nairobi court will determine on May 28 whether it will grant a bond to the police officer charged with manslaughter after the prosecution filed an affidavit seeking his detention in custody until the trial ends.
State prosecutor Virginia Kariuki submitted before the Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo that a police constable, Charles Ngulungu Kauwi, is a threat to the witnesses who are lined up to record their statements and testify in the case where he is charged with unlawfully causing the death of Aden Mohammed Hassan.
“Your honour, the accused is a trained police officer, and there is a likelihood of interfering with witnesses in the matter, some of whom are police officers and civilians and can access them,” Kariuki submitted.
The prosecution added that the accused has worked in Garissa for seven years and is familiar with the witnesses, which may increase the risk of retaliation.
She also submitted that, despite the accused being a flight risk, releasing the accused person will put his life in imminent danger, considering the public is furious and had demonstrated following the death of the victim.
The officer attached to Mbalambala police station in Garissa is alleged to have committed the offence on April 26, 2026, and immediately after, he went into hiding and switched off his phone.
“After the incident, the accused went into hiding rather than reporting the matter,” a DCI officer from IPOA handling the matter told the court.
The defence lawyer urged the court to dismiss the application by the prosecution for bond denial, citing that Article 49 (1) of the Constitution states that bond is a constitutional right unless compelling reason.
“Your honour, no compelling reasons provided before this court to deny my client his right to liberty,” the lawyer submitted.
Ngulungu was charged that, on April 21, 2026, within the Modika area of Garissa county, he unlawfully caused the death of Adan Mohammed Hussein.
He denied the charges levelled against him and sought to be released on bond.
The court will determine his bond application on May 28, 2026.
In the meantime, he was detained in police custody.
