Officer arrested after club drama left US Embassy employee shot dead

What began as a night of cheers and revelry at Quikin Sports Bar in Kiambu turned into a tragic scene of chaos and violence, culminating in the death of Anthony Njomo, a well-regarded employee of the US Embassy.

The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, has shocked the community, leaving them in mourning and grappling for answers. Another victim is nursing injuries, and his brother, who tried to intervene to prevent further shootings, is now detained at the Kiambu Police Station.

Trouble began when an armed police officer and his group, who were drinking at the bar, started behaving unruly and harassing other patrons. According to CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, the main suspect, a police officer now in custody, forcefully displaced a patron, Alex Miringu, who had momentarily stepped away from his seat. The officer, acting as a bodyguard to the director of a property firm, was trying to create space for his group at midnight when the club was at its peak capacity.

“I had left my girlfriend with her drink as I rushed to the washroom,” Miringu recounted. Upon his return, the officer and his group demanded that he vacate the table. “I told them the drink was mine, and even my girlfriend insisted that it was my seat,” Miringu explained. A waiter corroborated Miringu’s account, adding that the group later attacked him, beating him to the ground, where he was left bleeding and screaming.

The waiters sought help from the bouncers, who were reluctant to intervene because one of the group members was a police officer and armed. “I did not understand why they allowed a reveller to enter the club with a gun,” the waiter said. A club waitress, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Miringu was beaten by the gang when the lady introduced him as her man.

“He later left the club through the back door, and when his girlfriend followed, they also followed him. Other revellers were also protesting and shouting at them,” explained the waiter. Miringu recounted, “Nilipigwa hadi kwa floor. I was saved by other revellers and bouncers, and I walked out fearing for my life.”

As he made his way outside the club, the altercation caught the attention of many, including Anthony Njomo and Miringu’s brother, Joseph Njenga. They both approached to see what was happening. It was at this tense moment that the suspect fired a shot into the air, drawing Njenga to the scene. When a second bullet was fired, Njenga tried to restrain the police officer to prevent further harm. CCTV footage shows the late 35-year-old Njomo trying to distance himself from the growing scuffle when he was fatally struck by a bullet.

“At this time, Njenga did not know that the same group had beaten his brother,” said an eyewitness. Despite his efforts to stay clear of the fight, Njomo was hit and left lying on the ground, bleeding and unattended until morning.

“The first respondent was at Quickin Lounge promoting the music of one musician, John Njagi, with others when a misunderstanding between the second respondent and his party arose,” a DCI officer investigating the murder told a Kiambu court. “A fight between the two parties started, with each group accusing the other of seducing their women,” the police said. Preliminary investigations showed that Njomo was shot in the back, with the bullet exiting through his chest.

“The fight moved outside the Quickin Lounge, where one group, which included an armed bouncer, shot a reveller who was standing near the fighting zone,” a DCI officer told the Kiambu court. Njomo’s body was transported to the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary.

Martin Mureithi, a hotelier and Njomo’s cousin, expressed his grief, saying, “It’s with great sadness and quite a shock that I share the news of our cousin’s tragic passing.” Mureithi added that Anthony left behind a young son and an unborn baby who is soon to enter this world. “How do you allow revellers to patronise your club with guns? Why are you so quick to issue statements? Why was our son shot dead in your club while business continued as normal? This is a club with zero empathy for human life. This was your customer! Njomo was a bubbly young man, and we shall not rest until we get answers,” Martin said.

Authorities have arrested the main suspect, a police officer, and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. “Unfortunately, Njenga is being held despite coming in to save the public by talking to the police to cool down and letting him walk away,” explained a club staff member who witnessed the chaos. Kiambu County Commander Michael Muchiri told the media that they had recovered the firearm. “Today, we apprehended a third suspect who is a serving officer, and a gun has also been confiscated, which is said to have been fired to kill a young man,” Muchiri said.

The incident has sparked outrage among locals, particularly due to the nightclub’s perceived lax security measures. Njomo’s family is calling for a thorough investigation. “We urge the police to leave no stone unturned. We want justice for our innocent relative,” said family spokesperson David Njomo. The family has begun making burial arrangements while the police continue their investigation, hoping to bring those responsible to justice. Apart from security issues, the club is not soundproofed and makes loud noise through the night despite several complaints to authorities.

“There is nowhere to run when you take someone’s life. Crime is short-lived; let the murderer rot in jail now, dirty cop,” Martin said.