The High Court in Mombasa has sentenced former Likoni Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Yunus Athman to life imprisonment for the murder of a 20-year-old man in 2018, highlighting concerns over police accountability.
Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni delivered the verdict after ruling that Athman was guilty of killing Mbaraka Maitha Omar at Mwenza Village, Likoni.
According to court records, Athman shot the victim during an attempted arrest over alleged theft of goats, despite Omar being unarmed and posing no threat.
The prosecution, led by Ngiri Wangui, presented over 20 witnesses who placed Athman at the scene and challenged claims that the victim had resisted arrest.
Multiple testimonies indicated that the officer’s actions were not only unlawful but also deliberately misleading, raising questions over conduct within the police force.
In her ruling, Justice Micheni stated that the court had taken into account a pre-sentence report, mitigation submissions, and a victim impact statement before imposing a custodial sentence for the remainder of Athman’s natural life.
She emphasized that, as a police officer, Athman had a statutory duty to protect life, and his abuse of authority undermined public trust and struck at the core of justice.
The victim’s family told the court they continue to endure psychological trauma, describing the killing as malicious and a betrayal of public confidence in law enforcement.
Athman has been given 14 days to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. The case has reignited national discourse on the need for stricter oversight of police officers and accountability for unlawful use of force against civilians.