KIAMBU, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the fatal shooting of two ‘Boda Boda’ motorists from Thika.
This is after IPOA received a notification from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Thika West and Makongeni Police Station in Thika West Sub-County, regarding the incident.
In a statement, IPOA said the report linked the Sunday, September 7, 2025, shooting incident to a police officer attached to the DCI.
“IPOA, upon receiving the notification, commenced investigations into the shooting, pursuant to the provision of Section 6(a) of the IPOA Act,” the statement reads in part.
The Authority is established under the IPOA Act, CAP 86 of the laws of Kenya, to provide for civilian oversight over the work of the National Police Service (NPS).
Preliminary investigations by IPOA have established that 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.
“On September 7, 2025, at around 5:30 am, 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,” reads the statement.
How the DCI officer reportedly shot dead the two boda boda riders
According to IPOA, 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 6 am. 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,” IPOA explained.
The officer was later disarmed, detained at Thika Police Station, and subsequently transferred to Kiambu Police Station.
What are some of the crucial documents that IPOA has obtained
The bodies of the two victims, Kennedy Ojuma and Stephen Mwendwa, are preserved at Thika General Kago Mortuary.
“IPOA has obtained crucial documents from Makongeni Police Station and the Thika Police Station Traffic Office, including OB extracts, signals, and the duty roster,” IPOA said in its statement.
Further, IPOA indicated that statements have been recorded from nine police officers drawn from both Makongeni and Thika Police Stations.
On Monday, September 8, 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, September 9, 2025, at 3 pm.
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