Titus Ngamau, also known as Katitu, the infamous “killer cop” of Githurai, has been released from Kamiti Maximum Prison after serving six years of a 12-year sentence for the murder of Kenneth Kimani in 2013.
Katitu, who was convicted for misusing his firearm, was handed over to a probation officer to serve the remaining three years of his sentence outside the prison walls. The incident that led to his conviction occurred on March 14, 2013, when Katitu shot and killed Kimani, claiming that he was a wanted criminal.
Katitu gained considerable support from residents of Githurai, who viewed him as a hero for his efforts to fight crime.
After his arrest, protests and fundraising efforts were organized by his supporters, including a concert and a bond payment by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. Despite the support, the evidence in court was clear: Katitu fired the fatal shots that killed Kimani.
Kimani, a 27-year-old soccer player with the Mathare Football Club, was shot at the Githurai roundabout, and the court found that the bullet lodged in his body was from Katitu’s gun.
The investigation revealed that although five bullets were fired, only one spent cartridge was recovered, and it did not match the gun Katitu claimed to have used.
The police officers involved in the case, including two who were with Katitu on the day of the shooting, were not listed as witnesses, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
Katitu denied killing Kimani, claiming he only fired in the air during a pursuit of youths who had stolen a mobile phone, and that Kimani was already shot when he found him. However, a firearms examiner confirmed that the cartridges did not match the guns used by Katitu or the other officers involved.
