A police officer was on Tuesday arraigned before a Nakuru Court to answer to charges of killing a suspect.
Pius Mugambi, who was attached to Mogotio Police Station, is being accused of allegedly killing Isaac Kipkorir Cheboi.
The high court in Nakuru heard that the accused committed the offence on January 29 at Athinai area in Rongai sub-county.
The officer, however, denied the charges claiming that he shot and killed Cheboi in self-defence.
Mugambi, through his lawyer Steve Kabita, said that on the material date, his client together with another officer had arrested Cheboi on assault charges.
While escorting the suspect to Mogotio Police Station, a group of armed youths ambushed them demanding the release of Cheboi.
The officers were using a motorbike to transport the suspect to the police station but they were attacked by the youth who managed to free Cheboi.
Lawyer Kabita said the armed youths set the motorbike ablaze and Cheboi, after he was rescued by the youths, turned his anger to another officer who was unarmed.
The lawyer said Mugambi was forced to shoot Cheboi to save his colleague.
Kabita asked the court to release his client on bond and for the court to charge his client on a lesser charge of manslaughter.
He further asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw the case against his client.
Justice Joel Ngugi directed that the accused be freed on a personal bond of Sh300,000 with a surety of a similar amount.
The case will be mentioned on March 28.