Murang’a,

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

K.N.A

By Bernard Munyao

The body of the second suspect who was shot by police in connection with the robbery of a Murang’a Sacco two weeks ago, was on Monday identified.

The body of Francis Mulwa Mateli, 25-year-old and who was a cook at a Nairobi hotel was identified by his mother. Ms Mary Wanjiru Njuguna at the Murang’a mortuary.

Postmortem conducted by pathologist Dr. Kamothi Watenga revealed that Mulwa was shot five times, three on his head, one at his shoulders and once at back.

Mulwa and Joseph Kang’ethe were shot at Kinyona Forest in Kigumo Sub County on March 13 after Unitas Sacco in Mununga shopping centre was robbed of an unknown amount of money the previous day.

According to police, the two were among a gang of six who broke into the Sacco’s banking hall on March 12 at around 9.30am.

Independent Police Oversight Authority ordered an autopsy of the bodies following a public outcry after the killing of the two over claims they were first arrested before the execution in the forest.

According to the police statement, both Mulwa and Kang’ethe were killed in the forest, through an exchange of fire between a gang with the police.

The statement further indicated police during the incident managed to recover two rifles and Sh. 1.3 million which was part of the amount stolen from the Sacco.

The mother of Mulwa lamented that she visited the mortuary after she got information that her son could be one of those who were shot dead a week ago.

“My son used to work in a hotel in Nairobi and we lived together in Masaku village in Ruiru. I came to inquire in Murang’a after information circulated that together with his associate they were shot by the police,” said Wanjiru.

Meanwhile, father of Kang’ethe, Mzee Francis Kamau observed that they were allowed to transport the remains of their son for burial on a date yet to be set.

“As a family we have been waiting for the police to release the body after the autopsy was done last week on Friday. We will now embark on planning for his burial,” said Kamau.

Autopsy done on Kang’ethe’s body revealed he was shot nine times.

Courtesy K.N.A