Inquest clears police over the killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo
The late Muslim preacher Sheikh Aboud Rogo who was shot dead in 2012.
What you need to know:
The court, however, said the police response to the shooting was unsatisfactory.
Mr Nang’ea said although there was no post-mortem, he was satisfied that Sheikh Rogo died of gunshot wounds.
During the inquest, the court heard that 16 empty cartridges were recovered from the scene of the shooting.
Mr Kigen said some youths blocked police from photographing the body.
Police have been absolved from blame in the killing of Muslim preacher Sheikh Aboud Rogo.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Julius Nange’a said at the end of an inquest Wednesday that there was no evidence of culpability on the part of the National Police Service Commission or individual officer.
The fiery Sheik Rogo was shot dead in 2012 while the inquest into his killing started in 2013.
The court, however, said the police response to the shooting was unsatisfactory.
Mr Nang’ea said officers heard the gunshots as they were close by at Bamburi Police Station but their response was “lethargic, disjointed and uncoordinated”.
“Despite the presence of senior police commanders, time was wasted in calls to senior officers and mobilisation,” said Mr Nang’ea.
NO POST-MORTEM
According to an analysis of the evidence, a post-mortem could not be done because of non-cooperation by the preacher’s family and a mob at the scene.
“There is, however, medical evidence showing that the other victims of the attack were injured,” said the magistrate.
Mr Nang’ea said although there was no post-mortem, he was satisfied that Sheikh Rogo died of gunshot wounds.
During the inquest, the court heard that 16 empty cartridges were recovered from the scene of the shooting.
Former Kisauni Divisional Criminal Investigation Officer Benedict Kigen told the inquest that police found Sheikh Rogo in the driver’s seat.
“An old man, whom we learnt was his father-in-law, was holding him. His wife was in the back seat,” said Mr Kigen.
Mr Kigen said some youths blocked police from photographing the body.
He said the officers then took Sheik Rogo’s vehicle to Bamburi Police Station where it was photographed.
