The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a 40-year prison sentence against a man who disguised himself as a police officer to gain entry into homes and carry out armed robberies in Malindi and Kilifi.
Kilifi Law Courts Principal Magistrate Ivy D. Wasike handed down the sentence after finding him guilty of four counts of robbery with violence and one count of impersonating a police officer on November 13.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a 40-year prison sentence against a man who posed as a police officer to terrorise families and orchestrate a series of violent house robberies in Malindi and Kilifi towns,” part of the statement read.
Led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru, the prosecution presented nine witnesses who detailed how the accused and an accomplice terrorised residents between November 15, 2024, and March 26, 2025.
How the Gang Targeted Families
Posing as police officers on official duty, the two men would knock on residential doors and claim they were conducting police operations to gain entry.
Once inside, they overpowered occupants, held them at gunpoint and ransacked their homes, stealing mobile phones, laptops, television sets, gold chains, rings, PlayStations and other valuables estimated at KSh4 million.
According to the DPP, several attacks occurred at 10 am, noon, and 1 pm.
During the trial, one victim recounted how the accused pointed a gun at her daughter, while another described being threatened with death unless he cooperated.
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Magistrate Rejects Accused’s Defence
In her judgment, Magistrate Wasike dismissed the suspect’s claim of mistaken identity after several victims positively identified the accused.
His alibi that he was in Migori attending his grandmother’s burial was also rejected after he failed to present a witness, bus ticket or other evidence to support the claim.
The suspect further alleged that he had accidentally been shot in the leg at Kilifi Bridge on March 26, 2025, while dropping a passenger.
However, evidence showed that police officers had mounted an ambush following a reported robbery in Malindi, resulting in his arrest.
Following the arrest, the accused’s accomplice reportedly continued carrying out robberies in Likoni.
Police later tracked him to Mariakani and recovered a silver CZ pistol and a handgun.
The suspect was later shot dead after attempting to escape from Likoni Police Station.
“The court also heard that Otieno’s accomplice continued committing robberies in Likoni following his arrest. He was subsequently tracked to Mariakani, where a silver CZ pistol and another handgun were recovered. He was later shot dead after attempting to escape from Likoni Police Station,” DPP noted.
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DPP on Directives for Victims
During the sentencing, Magistrate Wasike noted that the attacks had left victims traumatised, with some becoming reluctant to return to court to testify.
Probation and aftercare officers were directed to facilitate professional psychosocial support for the victims and their families.
The accused was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment on each of the four robbery with violence counts, with the sentences running concurrently and an additional 10 years for impersonating a police officer.
“The suspect was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment on each of the four robbery with violence counts, with the sentences running concurrently. He received an additional 10 years for impersonating a police officer, to run consecutively, bringing his total prison term to 40 years,” the Director of Public Prosecutions stated.
According to the ruling, the suspect has 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.
In addition, the accused is also serving a separate 30-year prison sentence in a similar robbery with violence case before the Malindi Law Courts, following a plea bargain with the prosecution.
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