Murang’a bank robbery suspect was shot 9 times – autopsy reveals

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 16 Mar, 2023 13:13 | 2 mins read
Murang'a bank robbery suspect was shot 9 times - autopsy reveals
The two suspected thugs who had staged a robbery at Unaitas Sacco Mununga branch on Saturday after their arrest by the police. PHOTO/COURTESY

One of the Unaitas bank robbery suspects killed by police in Murang'a on Sunday, March 12 was shot nine times, the autopsy has revealed.

Pathologist Kamotho Watenga from Murang'a District Hospital who conducted the postmortem said the suspect was shot three times in the head and six times at the back.

The pathologist said the three bullets on the head had entry and exit points but the other six bullets had no exit points.

In an exercise that took close to three hours, the pathologist said the suspect died of gunshot wounds and it also had bruises on the legs, wrists and back indicating that he could have been hit with a blunt object.

Kamotho said the body will have to be taken for an X-ray scan to establish if the bullets are stuck in the body.

He said there is a possibility that the bullets used are the ones that fragment once inside the body for maximum impact.

"The body will be taken for scanning so that we are able to establish where the bullets or the fragments are so that we can have a conclusive report," he said.

Further, he said the suspect could have been shot at a close range but added that the ballistic experts will analyse iT.

Watenga said the body will only be released to the family after a full pathology report is done as required by the law.

Another suspect

The autopsy of the other body was, however, not conducted because it's yet to be identified.

Francis Kang'ethe's father to the suspect identified as Joseph Kamau Kang'ethe aged 30 said he learnt of the incident through the media which really shocked the family.

The father said at first he saw the photos of his son together with the other suspect handcuffed and sitting down but shortly other photos of their bodies sprawled on the ground followed.

"When I saw the first photo I was expecting that he would be taken to court but the turn of events was shocking and we are having many questions," he said.

"We need answers on what transpired after they were arrested because they ought to have been taken to court but not executed in such a manner," the father added.

Kang'ethe said his son grew up an obedient man and had no mischief even in school.

He also said Kamau was an ex-police officer and he served in service for five years from 2017 to 2021 when he was given summary dismissal for deserting duties.

"He has been doing casual jobs and at no at point did I suspect that he could be involved in any criminal activities," he added.

Stephen Mugacho an officer from the Independent Medical Legal Unit (IMLU) said they are closely following the matter to the conclusion.

He said the report from the pathologist will inform them of the next course of action.

"We want the investigations done thoroughly and those found culpable for the death of the two to face the law," Mugacho stated.

The two suspects were killed on Sunday after they reportedly raided a bank and made away with Ksh4 million.

They are said to be part of a six members gang but the others are yet to be arrested.

Part of the money stolen was recovered alongside the two guns believed to have been stolen from the police officers in two different instances and they were also used in the bank raid.

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