Chief and police officer testify during murder trial of human rights activist

Meru,

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

K.N.A. - By Dickson Mwiti

An Assistant Chief and a Police Officer took to the dock to testify in a murder case of a human rights activist Elizabeth Ekaru, who was killed in Isiolo County in January 2022, during the ongoing trial at the High Court in Meru.

Appearing before Justice Edward Murithi, the two Habiba Hassan and Patrick Muriira respectively, recounted the killing of Ekaru at Kambi Garba in Isiolo.

They narrated how Ekaru, a 45-year-old widow and mother of five was killed by Patrick Naweet, who was present during the hearing of the case Tuesday.

She was a celebrated outspoken human rights defender who had won a Head of State Commendation medal and other accolades, because of her work of agitating for land rights of marginalized communities and a strong advocate for women empowerment, but her killing because of a land dispute left many in shock.

Naweet allegedly stabbed Ekaru severally over a land boundary dispute as both he and the deceased woman claimed ownership.

Hassan told the court she learnt Naweet and Ekaru had a land ownership dispute and a date had been set at which elders were to resolve the conflict, but Ekaru was killed before it could happen.

She said she received a call from a village elder on January 3, 2022 and was told a local woman had been stabbed, after which she went on to seek to know the identity of the victim.

“The village elder further told me that the victim was Elizabeth Ekaru. I asked him who had stabbed her and he told me it was Patrick Naweet,” said Ms Hassan.

She said upon arriving at the scene, she found a pool of blood and Elizabeth had been evacuated to hospital.

“I found the accused being stoned by members of the public who stopped after they saw me alighting from my vehicle. At this time the accused was still down with a bloodstained knife in his hand,” said Hassan.

She added: “I asked why they were stoning him and in response they said he had killed one of them and so he deserved to die too.”

Hassan said she also feared harm as the accused was still wielding the alleged murder weapon, which was produced in court as exhibit, and as a result she first ordered him to put the knife down.

But appearing for Naweet, Hillary Sandi poked holes into the witness’ account and asked her whether she had witnessed the actual stabbing Naweet is claimed to have done.

On his part, Mr Muriira, a police officer based at Isiolo Police Station said he was in his office, when he was informed about the incident after which he and other officers rushed to the scene, where they were at the risk of a violent mob dispensing mob ‘injustice’.

The officers managed to calm the crowd who were beating up Naweet and rescued him, and took him to Isiolo County Referral Hospital and then detained him at the police station.

Zaina Kombo and Atandi Makori represented the Defenders Coalition, who are advocating for justice for the slain activist.

Justice Muriithi set June 19 for further hearing, when more witnesses will appear in court including a medical officer involved in the case.

COURTESY: K.N.A.

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