A police officer assigned to the Safaricom CEO’s VIP protection detail has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a fellow officer during a bar brawl in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
Ezekiel Kipkoech Tarus appeared before Justice James Wakiaga at Milimani Court, where he was formally charged with the murder of Raphael Kimuli Wambua, a police officer stationed at the Central Bank of Kenya.
According to the prosecution, on the night of February 23, 2025, Raphael Kimuli, along with his brother Erick Ngolania Wambua—a police officer at the GSU headquarters—had been watching football and drinking at Wasafi Bar.
As they were leaving the bar around 1:20 a.m., they were allegedly confronted by Tarus, who fatally shot Raphael Kimuli with his Jericho pistol, serial number 44338440.
Following the shooting, an angry mob attacked Tarus, but police officers from Ruaraka police station intervened and rushed him to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
Through his lawyers, Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, Tarus applied for bail, arguing that there were no compelling reasons for his detention and that he would comply with all court directions.
The prosecution had initially sought a 14-day detention for further investigations. However, after reviewing the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that Tarus be formally charged with murder.
Tarus denied the charges when he appeared before Justice Wakiaga. He was granted bail, set at Ksh.500,000 in cash and a surety of a similar amount.
The court further ordered that Tarus not contact any witnesses and report to the investigating officer every Thursday until the case is heard and determined.
The case is set to be heard on May 20, 2025.
