In the courts: Mti Mkavu changes tune as officer Njeru is granted Sh one million bond
(left) Hassan Mti Mkavu and Police constable Ephantus Njeru.
Paul Oriti alias Hassan Mti Mkavu has pleaded guilty to four counts including; creating disturbance, armed in a public place, participating in an unlawful demonstration and obstructing police officers.
The man seen wielding a panga in London estate protests had earlier pled not guilty to the charges and was granted bail of sh. 50, 000 or alternative bond of sh. 100,000 by Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion.
The matter will be mentioned on July 16.
On the other side of court, Police Constable Ephantus Njeru who was arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of Daniel Nderitu plead not guilty to the charge and was granted a sh. 1 million surety bond (A surety is like a guarantee that if someone does not do what they promised, someone else will step in and make it right.)
The matter will also be mentioned on July 16.
On July 9, protests broke out in Hilton Estate, in London Ward following the fatal shooting of Daniel Nderitu, their fellow resident.
At the time the residents said that the police from Central Police Station had gone to the area to collect bribes from bhang peddlers in the area.
The protests lasted for two straight days with the residents in the area paralyzing transport along the Kabarak-Nakuru road.
During this period, the residents demanded for justice claiming that the police officers who were not from their jurisdiction (Nakuru Town West) made their way to the estate to collect bribes.
According to them, the fatal shooting of Daniel landed the final nail in coffin and they wanted to expose the rogue police officers for their continued assault.
During the protests, Paul Oriti alias Hassan Mti Mkavu was captured on camera wielding a panga, while moving towards an armed police officer. The clip went viral and Hassan became somewhat of an overnight internet sensation.
On June 11, he was arrested.
In the backdrop of this, investigations into the fatal shooting of Daniel Nderitu were taking place. IPOA narrowed down to seven police officers who were later arraigned on June 18.
The suspects at the time, Nicasio Njue, Eric Mwangi, John Kihara, Naftali Gitonga, Ephantus Njeru, Marceler Tanui and Isaac Anampiu were to be detained at the Menengai Police Station for seven days to enable investigations to be conducted.
When the seven-day period elapsed, IPOA zeroed in on Police Constable Ephantus Njeru.