A police constable in Nakuru has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the killing of his superior officer during a confrontation at their workplace in 2023.
In a statement on Thursday, July 24, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Constable Jackson Kipkoech Konga was found guilty of murdering Sergeant Christopher Kimeli on August 8, 2023, at the K9 Unit offices in Nakuru East Sub-County.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Julius Nyangea at the High Court in Nakuru, following a successful prosecution by the ODPP.
According to the prosecution’s case, the altercation between the two officers began in the report office, where Konga reportedly took offense at remarks made by Kimeli.
Witnesses stated that Konga cocked his firearm and exited the room, followed shortly by Kimeli; only for Konga to turn and shoot his senior.
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"According to witness accounts, the incident began with an altercation between the two officers inside the report office. Constable Konga reportedly became enraged over what he perceived as insults from Sergeant Kimeli. After cocking his firearm, he exited the office. Sergeant Kimeli followed him, at which point Konga turned and shot him," the statement read.
During the trial, Konga admitted that there had been a confrontation earlier that day after Kimeli, during a routine morning inspection, ordered that two detainees be moved from the K9 Unit to the report office instead of Nakuru Central Police Station.
This directive allegedly sparked Konga’s anger and led to the tragic events that followed.
"Testifying before Justice Julius Nyangea, the accused admitted that a confrontation had taken place earlier that morning. It arose after Sergeant Kimeli, during his routine inspection, ordered that two suspects—detained overnight at the K9 Unit—be taken to the report office rather than to Nakuru Central Police Station. This directive sparked the dispute that ultimately turned deadly," the statement added.
While passing the sentence, Justice Nyangea acknowledged that some provocation had occurred but stressed that it could not excuse the defendant’s extreme and violent reaction.
The court determined that Konga had acted with full knowledge of the deadly consequences of using his firearm.
"In determining the sentence, the court considered the gravity of the offence, the fatal outcome, the weapon involved, and the serious breach of discipline within the police service," the statement concluded.
