Judge attempted murder case starts

The hearing of a case in which a High Court Judge is accused of attempted murder started on Monday.

Mr David Kamau Karori, the man allegedly stabbed by Justice G.B.M. Kariuki, gave his account of the incident to a Nairobi court.

He told Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei that he and the judge were driving in opposite directions along lower Kabete Road on the fateful night.

According to the witness, the Justice Kariuki's car hit his vehicle destroying the right side mirror. Both stopped after the accident and he walked out and confronted the judge.

“He was seated in his vehicle when I arrived. We agreed that we either wait for the police or drive to the nearest police station and report the matter. I thought driving to the police station was better,” he said.

As he made a u-turn to drive to the police station, he said, the Judge blocked his vehicle using his official car, came out and slapped him on the face. He also switched off Mr Karori’s car engine and detained his ignition keys.

“I followed him to his vehicle and slapped him twice. This is because he provoked me. Moments later he was behind me and I recall seeing him pull out a Somali sword which he used to stab me in the stomach,” he said.

Immediately after the incident, Mr Karori said the Judge sped off leaving him bleeding profusely. In his vehicle, the witness said a cousin, a nephew and friend sat patiently and none of them left the vehicle until they saw him being stabbed.

Mr Karori was testifying in a case where Mr Justice Kariuki has been charged with attempted murder.

The incident occurred on October 18, last year at lower Kabete Road in Nairobi. The Judge faces an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm after he allegedly stabbed Mr Karori in the stomach.

Asked by lawyer Muturi Kigano why he never drove to the police station after he was slapped, Mr Karori said the Judge refused to release the car keys.

He drove himself to Spring Valley Police Station where he allegedly found the judge talking to a police officer. The said officer, he added, advised him to proceed to MP Shah Hospital and seek treatment. He was admitted at the hospital for one week, he said.

Mr Karori dismissed claims that his elder sister held some interest in the case and was “pushing” him to punish the Judge.

Justice Kariuki is being represented by seven lawyers including Mr Kigano, Mr Pheroze Nowrejee and Mr Mohammed Nyaoga.

The hearing continues.