A Naivasha court has directed that four police officers accused of being involved in the killing of their colleague remain in custody for 10 days as investigations into the case continue.
The decision was made after investigators asked for more time to complete crucial inquiries into the shooting of Constable Hassan Lolkidid on October 29, 2025 at Mikiti area in Mai Mahiu Township, Naivasha sub-county. The four officers; Jim Murithi, Emmanuel Sang, Antony Wang’ombe, and Joshua Keter, are all based at Mai Mahiu Police Station.
Investigating officer Corporal David Otieno told the court on Friday that the officer was shot in the chest at around 1:30am while at the scene where a lorry was being offloaded with tyres and hardware goods.
He explained that when the officers on duty confronted the loaders, they scattered in different directions, and soon after, gunshots were heard. Constable Lolkidid was found fatally shot and the matter was recorded at Mai Mahiu Police Station.
Corporal Otieno said he arrived at the scene shortly after and found it disturbed, claiming it appeared arranged to suggest that the deceased had taken his own life. “The scene looked manipulated to show that the deceased committed suicide,” he said.
The court heard that all firearms issued to the four suspects were seized and taken for ballistic testing. The officer added that the bullet remained lodged in the deceased’s chest and that a post-mortem examination would help recover it for further analysis.
Preliminary findings, he said, pointed to an attempt to alter the scene by placing a gun in the deceased’s hand and positioning it toward his chest to support a suicide theory.
Corporal Otieno also informed the court that the four were suspected of being linked to a robbery with violence connected to the same lorry, and noted that the lorry’s driver had since gone missing.
“Interference of witnesses is real. They are police officers, and most of those to record statements are their informers. They are now cooperating because the suspects are in custody,” he told the court.
He asked the court to hold the four for 21 days, warning that their release could result in witness intimidation and hinder the inquiry. He also pointed out that the suspects were highly trained in firearms and that a weapon suspected to be involved had not been found, posing a risk to the public.
Despite an extensive cross-examination, Corporal Otieno maintained that continued detention was necessary to protect the investigation and secure the cooperation of witnesses.
However, defence lawyer Danstan Omari urged the court to grant bail, saying bond was a constitutional entitlement and that no proof had been provided showing that the accused had attempted to interfere with witnesses. “The prosecution’s fears are based on mere apprehension,” he argued, adding that any such interference would be a crime and should be supported by facts before denying bail.
He stressed that the officers were presumed innocent and asked the court to uphold their rights under Articles 49(1)(h) and 50(2) of the Constitution.
After hearing both sides, the court ruled that the four be held at Naivasha Police Station for 10 days to allow investigators to complete key steps, including retrieving and analysing the bullet, recording witness statements, and tracing the missing lorry driver.
