Nakuru residents express disappointment after police officer Nicholas Musau was released on bail
Nakuru police officer Nicholas Musau at a Nakuru court on January 10, 2024.
On Monday afternoon, the Nakuru high court ruled in favour of releasing police constable Nicholas Musau on Sh 2 million bond or cash bail of Sh 1 million.
The Nakuru cop was arrested and taken into custody late last year after a bar brawl that resulted in Ann Maina, a waitress and Laura Kwasira, the club owner, succumbing to bullet wounds.
This case elicited a lot of public interest.
The court’s ruling yesterday stirred a lot of conversation among Nakuru locals, each offering divergent views.
While weighing in on the ruling, Deborah Shiroko, sister to the slain Laura Kwasira said she has faith in Kenya's justice system.
"As much as the ruling isn't what we expected, we are aware it's a lawful one. We hope that we get the justice we deserve and we trust the judiciary will deliver that," she says.
However, Jack Onguta, a resident shared his dissatisfaction noting, "I feel that the courts made a big mistake in releasing the cop on bond because he shot at the victims with intent. It was never a mistake. Letting him go on bond will only encourage such bad behaviour from other armed officers."
Just like Jack, boda boda operators Daniel Wachira and Samuel Njuguna also felt disappointed in the courts decision.
Daniel Njuguna shared, "The courts ought to have denied the officer bail to serve as a lesson to other police officers that may attempt to injure or kill civilians, simply because they have access to weapons."
Seconding Daniel's point, Samuel shared that the crime committed by the officer was too grave to be granted bail.
He noted, "A police officer's role is to safeguard civilians. This officer did the exact opposite of that yet the courts were quite lenient with him when they granted him bail."
Another Nakuru resident, Bella Cheptum also shared the same dissatisfaction even sharing that she had lost faith in Kenya's justice system.
"Whether or not the cop was denied bail, I’m not hopeful that justice will be served. Why? This cop is a part of the government and the government tends to protect their own. Especially if that cop has friends in high places, there's a high possibility of him getting away with murder," she highlights.