Nyamira Court Sentences Two Police Officers to Prison for the 2019 Custodial Murder of Suspect

Two Kenyan police officers receive 30 and 10 year prison sentences for the 2019 murder of Amos Kemosi Kereri at Nyamatoki Police Post.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

Judiciary Holds Law Enforcement Accountable for Custodial Death

In a significant ruling for police accountability in Kenya, the Nyamira High Court has delivered lengthy prison terms to two law enforcement officers involved in a fatal assault. Police Corporal James Ogwagwa Nyakina received a 30 year sentence, while his colleague, Police Constable Jackson Kirui Kipngeno, was handed a 10 year term. The sentencing follows a comprehensive investigation into the death of Amos Kemosi Kereri, a suspect who was detained at the Nyamatoki Police Post in 2019. The Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution confirmed the ruling on Wednesday, April 29, marking a conclusion to a legal battle that has spanned several years.

Fatal Night Patrol Ends in Police Cell Assault

The events leading to the conviction began on August 19, 2019, when the two officers were conducting a night patrol. According to the prosecution, the officers arrested Kereri during their rounds and transported him back to the Nyamatoki station. Once inside the facility, the victim was subjected to a violent assault by the officers while being held in the cells. The prosecution successfully argued that the injuries sustained during this period were the direct cause of Kereri's death. This case highlights a critical breach of protocol regarding the safety and rights of individuals in police custody.

Medical Emergency Reveals Severity of Station Injuries

The morning following the arrest, the severity of Kereri’s condition became apparent to those at the station. Realizing the suspect required urgent care, the officers moved him from the police cells to a medical facility. However, according to official statements from the ODPP, Kereri was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. The rapid transition from police detention to a fatal medical outcome served as a primary focus for investigators, who sought to determine the exact timeline of the physical force used against the deceased while he was under the state's supervision.