Kenya serial killer faces murder charge

Kenya's self confessed serial killer Philip Onyancha has been charged with murder.

Mr Onyancha and two others, Douglas Obiero and Tobias Nyabuhanga, who face one count for murder, could not take plea because they did not have any lawyer to represent them.

Although the charge was read to them “just to be aware of it” the three suspects could not respond to the charge unrepresented.

Mr Onyancha has been in the public limelight over allegations that he is a serial killer and the rather quite courtroom was Tuesday full with crowds anxious to catch a glimpse of him.

Under Kenyan law, a fair trial in a murder case entails that the suspect has legal representation and if he cannot afford one then it is the duty of the state to accord him legal representation. Therefore until the three get lawyers the case will not proceed.

Also, according to the law a murder suspect should be charged within 14 days of his arrest.

Unfair

The judge handling the case, Justice Jessie Lessit, condemned the manner in which the police have been conducting their investigations.

“Any further investigations should not be conducted in the full glare of the media,” he said.

She has accused the police of being unfair to the suspect’s trial.

The case is being prosecuted by senior state lawyers, Moses Omirera and Tom Imbale.

The state confirmed to the court that investigations on the three are still in progress and they need at least 14 days to complete the investigations. They wanted the suspects detained at Kilimani police station.

The suspects were, however, given an opportunity to oppose the application to have them detained any longer by the police but did not oppose it. As a result, the three will be detained at the Kilimani police station until June 29 when they will be taken to court for plea taking.

Mr Onyancha, Mr Obiero and Mr Nyabuhanga are charged with the murder of nine year old Anthony Njirwa. According to the charge sheet the three are said to have killed the deceased on April 14.

The offence is said to have been committed at Ngundo village in Dagoretti.