Kenya cops get death for killings
2012-12-19 22:23
Nairobi - A Kenyan court on Wednesday sentenced to death six policemen convicted of killing seven taxi drivers during a 2010 raid, murders that had sparked violent protests.
Judge Fred Ochieng said police had used "excessive and unjustified" force when they opened fire 61 times on the drivers in the Nairobi district of Kawangware.
Police had claimed the drivers were part of a criminal gang known as the Mungiki, a sect notorious for its beheadings and for racketeering, notably in the public transport sector.
However, witnesses said the drivers had been unarmed and had made no attempt to attack the police.
"It was not shown by the accused persons that the only practicable thing was to shoot the deceased persons," Ochieng said in his sentencing.
Kenya is believed to have carried out its last execution in 1987.
- SAPA
