He Aimed, He Fired, He Missed — Then Didn't: New Details on the State House Killing

New details have emerged about the events surrounding a fatal shooting incident at State House, following testimony in the ongoing murder trial of Kithuka Kimunyi Musyimi, which opened this week at the High Court in Kibera.

Musyimi faces charges connected to the death of General Service Unit officer Ramadhan Khamis Matanka, who was attacked while stationed at Gate D of State House in Nairobi. Two witnesses testified in court, offering an account of the events leading up to the attack.

GSU officer Kelvin Nyabuto testified that he saw a man approaching the gate carrying what he initially mistook for a piece of wood, before realizing it appeared to be a bow and arrows — a detail that raised his suspicion. He said he alerted a colleague to keep watch on the man, who then aimed an arrow toward security personnel. At the time, Officer Matanka was inspecting a vehicle entering the premises. Nyabuto described readying his rifle as the situation escalated, testifying that the suspect fired two arrows in quick succession — the first missing, the second striking Matanka.

According to testimony, despite the severity of his injury, Matanka managed to remove the arrow from his body before collapsing. Fellow officers rushed him to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

State House gardener Beatrice Awuor also testified, saying she witnessed the assault from within the compound and identified Musyimi as the assailant. She told the court he appeared to specifically target officers at Gate D rather than civilians nearby. Nyabuto added that he had never seen the accused at State House before the incident, describing his clothing at the time as black trousers, a grey hooded sweatshirt, and a blue T-shirt.

The trial judge has since suggested the defence consider discussing with the accused the possibility of changing his plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The trial is expected to continue, with prosecutors preparing to call additional witnesses to further clarify the events surrounding the attack at one of Kenya's most secure locations.

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