The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has released additional details regarding the fatal shooting of two boda boda operators in Thika, allegedly by a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 8, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan confirmed that the authority had received official notification of the incident and has since launched investigations.
"On Sunday 7th September 2025, IPOA received a notification from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Thika West and Makongeni Police Station in Thika West Sub-County, regarding the fatal shooting of two 'Boda Boda' motorists from Thika. The report linked the shooting to a police officer attached to the DCI," the statement read.
Issack added that IPOA immediately commenced investigations in line with its mandate under the law.
"IPOA, upon receiving the notification, commenced investigations into the shooting, pursuant to the provision of Section 6(a) of the IPOA Act," the statement continued.
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According to preliminary findings, the officer implicated in the shooting has been identified as Police Constable Eric Gitonga stationed at the DCI Headquarters.
"The police officer involved in the shooting has been identified as No. 93397 PC Eric Gitonga, attached to the DCI Headquarters Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit (ECCU), and a resident of Thika Landless area," the statement added.
Details shared by IPOA show that the incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning when Gitonga was involved in an accident involving a motorcycle carrying a rider and a pillion passenger.
"On 7th September 2025, at around 0530 hours, he was driving home in his Audi, registration number KDC 053K. After passing Makongeni Police Station by approximately 200 metres on the Thika-Garissa Highway, he was involved in a road traffic accident with motorcycle registration KMDL 406L, which was carrying a rider and a pillion passenger," the statement further read.
According to Issack, the situation quickly escalated after the accident with the officer and the boda boda rider arguing about who was at fault.
"An altercation ensued between the officer and the boda boda rider regarding who was at fault. Both parties later proceeded to Makongeni Police Station to resolve the matter. The duty officer subsequently summoned traffic police officers from Thika Police Station, who arrived at the scene at around 0600 hours," the statement noted.
Issack revealed that it was during the interaction that Gitonga allegedly turned violent, fatally shot both the motorcycle rider and his passenger.
"While at the scene, the police officer, who was allegedly intoxicated, became rowdy and resisted being disarmed. In the process, he fatally shot both the motorcycle rider and his pillion passenger. The officer was later disarmed, detained at Thika Police Station, and subsequently transferred to Kiambu Police Station," the statement read.
The victims have since been identified as Kennedy Ojuma and Stephen Mwendwa, whose bodies are being preserved at Thika General Kago Mortuary.
Issack noted that IPOA has already secured key evidence, including OB extracts, signals, and the duty roster, from Makongeni Police Station and the Thika Police Station Traffic Office.
Further, IPOA has recorded statements from nine police officers drawn from both Makongeni and Thika Police Stations.
Issack further confirmed that the officer at the centre of the case has already been presented before a court of law.
"On Monday, 8th September 2025, the officer was arraigned at the Kiambu Law Courts, where IPOA sought custodial orders for 21 days to complete its investigations. The Court is expected to deliver its ruling on the application today, 9th September 2025, at 1500 hours," the statement added.
In conclusion, IPOA outlined its next steps to ensure thorough investigations are conducted.
"IPOA plans to oversee the post-mortem examinations of the two deceased persons, record additional witness statements, forward the officer's firearm for ballistic examination, and obtain CCTV footage, among other tasks," the statement concluded.
Gitonga becomes the latest law enforcement officer to find himself on the wrong side of the law.
On Tuesday, June 17, police constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde shot mask vendor Boniface Kariuki in the head during protests in Nairobi’s CBD.
Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Doctors performed three operations, including the removal of the bullet, but despite the efforts, he was declared brain-dead on June 29 and died a day later on June 30, 2025.
Following the shooting, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered Barasa’s immediate arrest and arraignment.
Barasa, alongside fellow officer Duncan Kiprono, appeared in court on June 19, 2025.
The court granted detectives 15 days to complete investigations. Later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) found insufficient evidence against Kiprono, who was released, leaving Barasa to face charges alone.
On July 10, 2025, the DPP formally approved murder charges against Barasa.
He appeared before Justice Kanyi Kimondo at the Milimani High Court, where the DPP requested that Barasa undergo a mental evaluation before taking a plea and subsequently be remanded at the Nairobi Remand Prison pending further hearings.
