A police officer attached to the National Police Service is set to face a manslaughter charge in connection with the fatal shooting of a taxi driver in Garissa County last month.
Police Constable Charles Ngulungu Kauwi appeared before a Garissa court on Thursday but did not take plea after informing the court that he had not secured legal representation.
The court consequently postponed the plea-taking to Friday at 10:30 a.m. to allow the accused officer time to obtain an advocate before formal proceedings begin.
According to court documents, the officer is accused of unlawfully causing the death of taxi driver Adan Mohamed Hassan on April 21, 2026, within the Modika area of Garissa County.
The prosecution has charged the officer with manslaughter contrary to Section 202 as read together with Section 205 of the Penal Code.
The case has attracted public attention in Garissa, where residents and civil society groups have continued to raise concerns over the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident.
During Thursday’s court session, the accused officer appeared calm as proceedings were briefly conducted before the matter was adjourned. The prosecution informed the court that it was ready to proceed with plea-taking, but the process could not continue without the accused having legal counsel.
Under Kenyan law, manslaughter charges arise when a person is accused of causing the death of another unlawfully, but without the element of malice aforethought required in murder cases. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, although sentencing depends on the circumstances presented before the court.
The death of Adan Mohamed Hassan sparked outrage among sections of the local community after reports emerged that the taxi driver had allegedly been shot during an encounter involving police officers.
Lawyer Mahat Somane, who is representing the victim’s family, told the court that the family did not oppose the adjournment.
“On behalf of the victim’s family, we have no objection to the plea being deferred to Friday to allow the accused person time to get a lawyer,” said Mr Somane.
A large delegation of political leaders and civil society representatives attended the court session in support of the bereaved family.
Among those present were Garissa County Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun, former ambassador Mohamed Shidiye, Baraki Ward MCA Hassan Geley, Galbet Ward MCA Abubakar Mohamed and civil society leader Hassan Aden
The leaders accompanied the family’s legal team during the proceedings as calls for justice over the killing continued to mount.
Community leaders in Garissa have previously called for transparency and accountability in the handling of the matter, urging investigative agencies to ensure justice is served fairly and independently.
Human rights activists have also emphasized the importance of due process, saying the case reflects the wider national debate on police accountability and the use of force by law enforcement officers.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which investigates cases involving police misconduct and deaths linked to police action, has in recent years intensified investigations into incidents involving alleged extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force.
The arraignment of the officer marks a significant step in the legal process following investigations into the incident. However, the court is expected to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to sustain the charge as the case proceeds.
Legal analysts note that the prosecution will be required to demonstrate that the officer’s actions directly led to the death of the taxi driver and that the force used was unlawful under the circumstances.
Families of victims in police-related shootings often face lengthy waits for justice, making the progress of such cases closely watched by the public and rights organizations alike.
Relatives and friends of the late Adan Mohamed Hassan are expected to follow the proceedings closely as the matter returns to court on Friday for plea-taking.
The case is likely to continue drawing public interest in Garissa and beyond as the judicial process unfolds.