A court in Lamu sentenced two General Service Unit (GSU) officers to two years in prison for inflicting injuries on a bridegroom, his driver and a friend.
According to a statement shared by Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Thursday, February 23, the officers were found guilty of assaulting the three individuals.
The court heard that Ahmed Godhana, a hopeful bridegroom, was headed to pick up his bride at a village where she lived with her parents before he was roughed up.
"The 100-kilometre journey involved passing through roadblocks mounted by either the police or military, since surveillance had been escalated in parts of the County due to persistent security threats," IPOA stated.
"As part of traditions by the communities living in the area, betrothal ceremonies take place at night, and Godhana was looking forward to a return journey in the company of a new wife," the oversight authority added.
His driver took a wrong turn and found himself in a GSU camp. The sentries signalled them to stop at a distance, and ordered them to approach the gates while on their knees.
The bridegroom was beaten and left unconscious together with his colleagues. The wedding was cancelled as the bridegroom regained consciousness after three days.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the incident happened on January 1, 2016. The bridegroom regained consciousness on January 4, 2016.
His driver was likewise treated and detained at a local police station. The GSU officers accused him of assaulting, resisting and obstructing law enforcement officers from executing their duties.
However, IPOA's investigations established that the driver was framed. It recommended the charges be dropped.
Following their findings, the two cops were imprisoned or ordered to pay a fine of Ksh100,000 each, for each of the three counts.
Besides the imprisonment, the GSU officers are set to be interdicted from service.
