Nanyuki court drops case on Lempurkel in rancher’s murder

A Nanyuki court has dismissed a case in which Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel was to be charged over the murder of British rancher Tristan Voorspuy.

It was expected that the ODM lawmaker would be charged with the murder of the Laikipia rancher, who was gunned down on March 5 at the Sosian Ranch.

Mr Lempurkel first appeared in court on March 9 but detectives asked for more time to gather evidence on him before he could be charged.

He appeared again on March 30 but detectives said they were still investigating the matter and promised that they would be ready on May 10.

But when the case came up for mention Monday morning, the prosecution told the court that it had not managed to gather enough evidence to implicate the MP.

CLOSE CASE

“The prosecution does not have enough evidence against the accused. We are applying that this case be closed,” prosecutor Caroline Muriu told Senior Resident Magistrate Evans Ngige.

Ms Muriu said three suspects are in custody over the murder of Mr Voorspuy and one of them has been charged with the murder while two more are expected to appear in court Tuesday.

Last week, a herdsman was charged with the murder.

Samson Lokayi, alias Tepatuk Kachartat, denied the charge and the court ordered that he be detained at the Nanyuki GK Prison until May 10 when his bail application is to be determined.

Two more suspects were last week arrested during a market day in Ol Moran, Laikipia West, and held at the Rumuruti Police Station.

A phone belonging to the slain rancher was found on one of the suspects.