Kondele shooting video clip replayed in court

By Wahome Thuku

The video clip in which a police officer was captured shooting two demonstrators during the post-election unrest in Kisumu was played four times in a Nairobi court.

The pictures captured by KTN on January 16 at Kondele market was produced following a High Court order.

It is crucial evidence in the trial of Kondele police constable Edward Kirui, charged with murdering the two protesters, George William Onyango and Ishmael Chacha.

KTN editor Peter Opondo produced the clip before trial judge Onesmus Mutungi, on Monday.

Earlier, Kondele police boss Ancent Kaloki, retired inspector Evans Sachita, constables Peter Mugi and Boniface Andai told the court that they learnt of the shooting from KTN news.

After the shooting, police officers involved in the operation to identify the culprit could not do so. Mugi said CID officers took their pictures to match with the policeman on tape.

Kaloki, however, claims he identified the officer as Kirui when he lifted the glass on his helmet, exposing his face. Opondo said before airing the footage, senior KTN editors previewed it during an editorial committee meeting.

Justice Mutungi said the clip held two crucial details and directed the station to produce another copy, but with pictures in slow motion.