Cop Nicknamed “Soldier Boy” Found Guilty of Executing Man

Police Corporal Mark David Gitahi, better known under his pseudonym name of “Soldier Boy”, has been found guilty of killing Esau Juma Mwanguku, whose case stretches back to 2019.

This verdict, revealed on Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, follows a lengthy process of investigation conducted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority as well as prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Voi High Court.

As reported by IPOA, the deadly incident took place on March 29, 2019, when Mwanguku was having a drink at Rockland Restaurant in Taveta town.

After approaching him at the dinner table, the police officer shot him dead.

Fatal Shooting at Taveta Restaurant

In a statement, IPOA said the officer slithered to his table, drew a pistol and pulled the trigger, discharging four shots.

The authority stated that Mwanguku succumbed to three gunshot wounds that struck him in the back during the incident.

Investigators from IPOA later launched inquiries into the killing and subsequently recommended that the officer, who held the rank of Corporal at the time, be charged with murder.

“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority lodged investigations and recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions that that Corporal be charged with murder,” the authority stated.

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Prosecution Presented Fifteen Witnesses

DPP independently reviewed the evidence gathered during the investigations before approving the murder charge against Gitahi.

Prosecution then proceeded to present the case before the High Court in Voi, where a total of fifteen witnesses testified alongside other evidentiary exhibits submitted in court.

“The DPP, after independently reviewing the evidence adduced, upheld the recommendations and presented the case before the High Court in Voi. This included presenting fifteen witnesses besides other pieces of exhibits,” IPOA said.

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Bond Cancelled After Conviction

Following the conviction, the court ordered the cancellation of the officer’s bond terms, effectively sending him into custody pending sentencing.

IPOA confirmed that the convicted officer was immediately remanded at Manyani GK Prison where he will remain awaiting sentencing scheduled for June 2, 2026.

“Today, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the officer who was free had his bond cancelled upon conviction and will cool his heels at Manyani GK Prison awaiting sentencing on June 2, 2026,” the authority stated.

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