Karume grandson accused of fiancée murder released on Sh1m cash bail

A grandson of the late Njenga Karume who was charged with murder has been released on a Sh1 million cash bail.

Kenneth Karume, 30, a pilot, is accused of the murder of his fiancée on March 9 at an apartment in Kiambu.

Mr Karume is a child of Joseph Karume Njenga, the firstborn son of the former defence minister.

Mr Karume is suspected to have pushed Victoria Wairimu Kulungia's body off a balcony after she was murdered.

He was detained by neighbours when he was reportedly seen shouting on the balcony that he had "done nothing" when the body was found.

Justice Stella Mutuku of the High Court in Nairobi ruled that there were no compelling reasons to deny the suspect bail.

FEARS UNJUSTIFIED

"The fears raised by the prosecution are unjustified and I find no compelling reasons to decline an application for bail," the judge said.

She ruled that Mr Karume may deposit a cash bail of Sh1 million or a bond amounting to Sh2 million with a surety of a similar amount.

The judge also directed that the suspect deposit his passport in court and his flying licence as additional security.

She overruled prosecutors' suggestions that he should be kept in custody for his own safety as he may be lynched if released on bond.

The judge also dismissed claims that he may flee, "as he could have done so before the police moved to arrest him at his apartment, which they found open."

While ordering the release of the suspect, the judge ruled that his neighbours at the Gracia Apartments, who prosecutors said are key witnesses and may be interfered with before the hearing of the case, had not filed affidavits to that effect.

Mr Karume faces the death penalty if found guilty.

The judge said the case file may be transferred to the Kiambu Law Courts for a hearing.

The case will be mentioned on June 2 for directions.