PS Fikirini Jacobs’ Bodyguards Under Investigation After Cecil Ouma’s Death

Investigations have intensified into the fatal shooting of youth mobilizer Cecil Ouma, with seven people, including two bodyguards attached to Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, recording statements as detectives seek to establish what transpired before the deadly incident in Nairobi.

The shooting occurred on Tuesday along Park Road, shortly after Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs concluded a youth engagement forum in Kariokor. Ouma was shot while inside a vehicle linked to the Principal Secretary, triggering conflicting accounts of the events leading to his death and prompting a homicide investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Among those questioned by detectives are the two security officers attached to the Principal Secretary, a director from the State Department for Youth Affairs who was reportedly inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, and several witnesses who were present during the confrontation. Police are piecing together witness accounts, forensic evidence, and ballistic findings to determine exactly what happened.

According to Ouma’s family, the Nairobi-based youth mobilizer had been tasked with mobilizing young people to attend the government’s youth engagement forum in Kariokor. They claim that after the event, Ouma approached the Principal Secretary’s vehicle to collect transport reimbursement on behalf of the youths he had mobilized.

The family says Ouma had initially been given KSh10,000 by the Principal Secretary to facilitate transport for the group. However, after consulting with the youths, he reportedly returned to the vehicle because the amount was considered insufficient to cater for everyone who had attended the event. It was during that encounter, they allege, that the fatal shooting occurred.

Relatives have accused the Principal Secretary’s bodyguards of using excessive force, insisting that Ouma was not involved in criminal activity but was a youth leader participating in an official government programme. They are now demanding a thorough and independent investigation to ensure justice is served.

Following the shooting, Ouma was rushed to Park Road Nursing Home, where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident sparked chaos as a group of youths confronted the Principal Secretary’s vehicle, forcing Fikirini Jacobs and members of his team to seek refuge at Pangani Police Station.

Police reports indicate that the security officers initially reported that a crowd had surrounded the vehicle and attempted to steal valuables, prompting them to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the group. Notably, the first report made no mention of anyone being fatally shot.

However, approximately two hours later, a second report filed with police confirmed that Cecil Ouma had sustained three gunshot wounds—two to his left arm and one to the left side of his chest. Medical observations indicate that one of the bullets passed through his arm before striking his chest, causing fatal injuries.

Sources close to the investigation say the two bodyguards have since been disarmed, with their firearms confiscated for ballistic examination to determine which weapon fired the fatal shot. The forensic analysis is expected to play a critical role in establishing responsibility for the shooting.

Investigators are also examining claims that moments before the shooting, Ouma allegedly caused a disturbance inside the vehicle by attempting to grab the steering wheel before allegedly trying to seize one of the officers’ firearms. Detectives are working to verify these claims through witness statements, forensic evidence, and ballistic findings.

A postmortem examination was scheduled to be conducted at Chiromo Mortuary to establish the exact cause of death and provide additional forensic evidence for the investigation.

As investigations continue, Ouma’s family has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct an impartial probe and ensure that everyone responsible for the shooting is held accountable. The incident has also renewed debate over the use of force by security officers attached to senior government officials and the need for transparency in investigations involving law enforcement personnel.