Two Police Officers Found Guilty of 21-Year-Old Denis Lusava’s Murder in Eldoret
The Eldoret High Court has found two police officers guilty of the brutal murder of 21-year-old Denis Lusava, whose tortured body was dumped in River Nzoia in October 2022. Justice Reuben Nyakundi, delivering the landmark ruling, stated that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Constables Emmanuel Wafula and Godwine Wekesa were responsible for the killing.
Lusava’s murder, which occurred at Mbururu Police Station in Likuyani, Kakamega County, has been at the heart of a protracted legal battle that lasted over five years. According to court documents, Lusava first clashed with the officers in 2020 after being arrested for not wearing a face mask. Public intervention at the time saved him.
However, the officers allegedly traced him days later, rearrested him, and held him in custody at the police station. While detained, he was handcuffed to a window and subjected to a violent beating using kicks, fists, and electric cables. The assault resulted in fatal injuries.
The court further heard that the officers attempted to cover up the killing by dumping Lusava’s body into the River Nzoia.
“The murder was committed with malice aforethought, and there was transactional evidence linking the two officers to a common intention in the conspiracy,” Justice Nyakundi ruled. He also revoked the bond previously issued to the two officers, who will now remain in remand at Eldoret GK Prison until sentencing on Wednesday, July 9.
Lawyers from the International Justice Mission (IJM), who represented the victim’s family, celebrated the judgment, hailing it as a crucial milestone in police accountability and justice for custodial deaths.
“This is a big step forward for justice in police accountability,” said an IJM lawyer.
The judgment comes amid growing public scrutiny of rogue policing in Kenya, following other high-profile cases of custodial torture and extrajudicial killings.
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Two Police Officers Found Guilty of 21-Year-Old Denis Lusava’s Murder in Eldoret