The five suspected killers appearing in Chuka High Court.
By The Peak
The Chuka High Court Judge, Lucy Gitari has denied bond to five people accused of killing Daniel Mutembei from Rubate village in Tharaka Nithi County on March 18, 2023.
Justice Lucy said that the State counsel Ms Felister Njeru and the deceased family lawyer, Kirimi Muturi had clearly demonstrated that the five should continue with the trial while in court.
The accused are; Mr John Gitari, Mr Jadiel Kinyanjui, Mr Wilfred Kirimi, Mr Jamson Musyoka and Mr Newton Mutwiri together with Lyoid Nyaga who is still at large and being sought by police.
The killing of Mutembei led to demonstrations in Chuka town that occasioned gunning down of Tharaka Nithi County Bodaboda Operators’ Association Chairman Willis Mugambi alias Kiraku.
The family members and residents were protesting the delay by police to arrest the suspects and also the issuance of an anticipatory bill by the Chuka High Court stopping their arrest.
The prosecutor told the court that the five were flight risk because after they were given an anticipatory bill they failed to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations office at Chuka Police Station as ordered.
She added that their safety was also at risk in the village because the locals are still bitter and likely to take the law into their hands.
The deceased family lawyer, Kirimi Muturi also demonstrated to the court that the five are likely to interfere with the trial by intimidating the witnesses if granted bond.
He added that even the family members of the deceased do not feel secure with the presence of the accused in the same village.
“There are compelling reasons to deny the accused a bond and therefore the application lacks merit and is dismissed but the application may be reviewed in the course of the trial,” said Justice Gitari
The hearing of the murder case will be heard before the same judge on October 18, 2023.
Family members led by the mother of the deceased, Mrs Muthoni Ngai have vowed to bury the remains after they are served with justice.
