The High Court has sentenced former Likoni Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Yunus Athman to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of killing a young man during an arrest operation in 2018.
The ruling closes a long-running case that triggered public debate about police conduct and accountability.
The judgment came from the High Court sitting in Mombasa. Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni ruled that Athman used unlawful force against Mbaraka Maitha Omar during an incident at Mwenza Village in Likoni.
The court found that the victim did not pose a threat at the time of the shooting and did not resist arrest.
The judge said a police officer carries a legal duty to protect life and apply force only when necessary and proportionate. In this case, the court determined that the officer failed that duty.
The ruling stressed that authority and firearms come with strict responsibility and cannot be used outside the law.
The case attracted national attention because it touched on claims of excessive force by officers and the need for stronger oversight within the police service. Many observers followed the proceedings closely over the years as witnesses testified and lawyers presented evidence.
The prosecution team from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions called more than 20 witnesses. Several witnesses placed Athman at the scene and rejected the claim that the victim created danger. Testimony indicated that the victim did not carry a weapon and did not fight officers during the attempted arrest linked to alleged livestock theft.
Witness accounts showed that multiple shots were fired during the encounter. The court accepted this evidence and concluded that the force used went far beyond what the situation required. That finding formed a central part of the conviction.
Family members of the victim told the court that the killing caused lasting emotional and psychological harm. They described the incident as a deep betrayal of public trust by someone tasked with protecting citizens. Their victim impact statements influenced the court’s view on the seriousness of the offense and the need for a strong sentence.
In delivering the punishment, the judge reviewed mitigation arguments from the defense, pre-sentence assessment reports, and the family’s statements. After weighing all factors, the court chose life imprisonment, meaning Athman will remain in custody for the rest of his natural life unless an appeal changes the outcome.
The court also informed Athman about his legal right to challenge both the conviction and the sentence. He has 14 days to file an appeal if he chooses.
Legal analysts say the decision sends a clear signal that courts will hold officers personally responsible when they misuse power and violate the law. The ruling reinforces the principle that police authority does not place anyone above accountability.
