Man charged with reporter’s killing

The husband of a former NTV reporter was on Thursday charged with her murder.

Mr Moses Dola Otieno did not plead to the charge pending a medical report on his mental state.

Mr Otieno is accused of murdering Ms Sarah Wambui Kabiru at their house in Nairobi’s Umoja estate on May 1.

“I urge this court to defer plea taking until a psychiatrist report about the mental state of the suspect is determined,” senior State counsel Fridah Mwanza said.

“A P-3 form has not been filled stating the accused’s medical condition. Also a whole investigation diary has not been compiled.”

Ms Mwanza asked Mr Justice Nicholas Ombija to direct that Mr Otieno be remanded at Nairobi’s Buru Buru police station.

“The interrogators also need to have his finger prints,” said Ms Mwanza. But defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta opposed the request to remand the journalist at Buru Buru saying “he should be held at a more conducive area.”

Mr Ombeta said psychologically the suspect would not be at peace since the area where the “offence was committed is within the proximity of the station.”

The lawyer suggested to have his client remanded at Kileleshwa police station “since the facilities there are good,” Mr Ombeta said.

In his brief ruling, Mr Justice Ombija said: “You will be remanded at Kileleshwa police station until May 16, 2011, to be examined by government psychiatrist.

A postmortem examination conducted the victim on Tuesday indicated that death was due to trauma caused by being hit with a blunt object.