Some of the 16 current and former officials of Kihiu-Mwiri land buying company charged with murder of four director of the company in Kiambu and Murang’a counties at Milimani law courts on Wednesday 2 September, 2015.
BY SAM ALFAN.
Sixteen former and current directors of the controversial Muranga-based Kihiu Mwiri land buying company have been charged with the killing of former officials.
The officials however did not plead to the charges after the prosecution requested for more time to facilitate their mental assessment to determine whether they are fit to stand trial.
The accused persons will undergo psychiatrist examination at the Mathari Mental Hospital before they formally answer to the capital charges.
The accused are Joseph Thiongo, Henry Ngugi, Julius Kanyiri, John Njoroge, Harrison Kibande, Joseph Muchui, Bernard Murigi and Josephat Macharia.
Others facing charges are Mary Mugechi, Joseph Nyamu, Patrick Ikuu, Samuel Njeru, Peter Mburu, Peter Murigi, Zackaria Ngaruiya and John Kamau.
High Court Judge Jessie Lesiit postponed the plea taking to September 21. Seven of the suspects have been in police custody for the last 28 days while the rest were arrested last week.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki last week had made an application to detain seven of the suspects for eight days to complete investigations.
She had said that more time was required for investigators to recover weapons believed to have been used in the killings.
Justice Nicholas Ombija had given the State until September 2 to either charge or release them.
The sixteen are accused of murdering Peter Kimani Kuria on May 10 at Kihiu Mwiri in Murang’a County. They allegedly committed the offense jointly with others not before the court.
They are also accused of murdering Paul Muhuhi Bernard on June 28 at Majengo Estate in Thika within Kiambu County.
The 16 are further accused of Murdering Josphat Kibe Nyoike and Zachary Chege Kiratu on July 29 along Kihiu Mwiri in Murang’a County jointly with others who were not before the court.
Lawyers Evans Ondieki and Kamau Mbiyu protested that the police of violating the constitutional rights of the accused persons by holding them without charge beyond the statutory 14 days allowed by law.
Justice Lesiit however directed the counsels to submit their complaints in writing.
The 15 men will be detained at Industrial Area Prison Remand while one woman Mary Mugechi,will be taken to Lang’ata Women Prison.
