Ahmed Rashid, a controversial Kenyan police officer facing murder charges over the 2017 killing of two suspected thieves, did not enter a plea in court on Thursday, as had been expected.
His lawyer Danstan Omari, who says Corporal Rashid acted within the law, told the court that his client was unwell and had been in hospital since 5 December. He also said the policeman had never been personally served with a summons to appear in court.
The policeman is accused of carrying out extra-judicial killings in the Eastleigh, Pangani and Mathare areas of the capital, Nairobi, without any consequences.
In an interview with BBC Africa Eye, Corporal Rashid admitted to killing alleged criminals.
A video that went viral shows him shooting the two unarmed teenagers in 2017. They had both surrendered and were lying down. This happened in broad daylight and with dozens of people watching.
Corporal Rashid is loathed and loved in almost equal measure.
At the court, were the families of about 43 young men who were allegedly killed by the policeman. His supporters were also there, most of them from the Eastleigh business community, who say gangs that used to terrorise them are now a thing of the past.
Corporal Rashid is now expected to appear on 23 January.
