Serial killer is mad, DPP tells court

Mr Philip Onyancha. Photo/FILE

A self-confessed serial killer is suffering from a mental illness, a State counsel revealed in court on Thursday.

Philip Onyancha is suffering from a condition known as “residual schizophrenia”, Mr Moses Omirera told High Court judge Nicholas Ombija.

The judge heard from defence lawyer David Mwangi Mugo that one is “not in control of themselves when he or she is suffering from that mental ailment.”

Mr Mugo said the accused may be found guilty but insane.

Jailed by President

In the medical report prepared by consultant psychiatrist Fredrick Owiti on March 9, 2012, Onyancha confessed that he killed 16 women and drank their blood.

The report on the accused’s mental status was requested by defence lawyers Paul Muite and Mr Mugo.

Dr Owiti says in the report that the offences Onyancha is facing occurred as a result of mental illness which influenced his behaviour and led him to adopt a hedonistic type of serial lust.

When an insane person is found guilty he or she is detained on the instructions of the president.