Food hawker admits killing varsity student
PAUL WAWERU | NATION
Mr Elly Waga Omondi in court on April 05, 2012 where he admitted that he killed university student Edinah Nyamancha Mogambi at Mbotela Teleposta staff quarters in Nairobi on March 25 .
What you need to know:
- Man consistently pleads guilty to rape and murder even after being warned about the punishment
A man who is accused of raping and killing a first year university student on Thursday pleaded guilty to the charge.
Even after he was cautioned twice on the consequences of the offences, Mr Elly Waga Omondi, 27, insisted: “I plead guilty to the charge.”
Vacation judge Philomena Mwilu, before whom Mr Omondi appeared, warned him that “the offence against you is punishable by death if you plead guilty”.
But the accused said: “I am guilty as charged.”
The judge further asked him whether he understood what he was saying and he replied: “I understand what I am saying. I know the consequences of pleading guilty to the charge against me. I plead guilty.”
A State counsel applied for adjournment of the case to April 12, saying: “I have not yet compiled the facts of the case.”
In her order, Justice Mwilu said: “ I enter a plea of guilty to the charge of murder against the accused.”
The judge added: “I cautioned him that the penalty pronounced for the offence of murder under the law is a death sentence but he maintained the plea of guilty.”
Mr Omondi, a food vendor, was charged with murdering Ms Edinah Nyamancha Mogambi at House Number 11 Block F, Mbotela Teleposta staff quarters, on March 25.
The lawyer hired to defend him did not attend court on Thursday but sent another one to represent him.
The hearing was set for April 12, when the State will present facts surrounding the death of the student.
A doctor who examined Mr Omondi said he is mentally fit and can stand trial.
The body of the marketing and procurement student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology was found hidden under her bed on March 26.
It had some head injuries.
Mr Omondi — who sells beans, githeri and chapati in schools, and at kiosks and construction sites — was initially produced before judge Nicholas Ombija on March 29 at around noon under tight security.
During this initial appearance, the charge the State had filed against him was explained to him.
On Thursday, Mr Omondi was remanded in custody until April 12.
