British man Richard Alden charged with murdering woman out on Sh2m bail

Former Wananchi Group chief executive Richard Alden at the Kibera Law Courts on June 6, 2016 where he is accused of killing a woman at his Karen home. Mr Alden was granted Sh2 million bail and ordered to deposit his passport in court for additional security as well as report to the Karen Police Station every two weeks on June 30, 2016. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The murders suspect has been ordered to report to the Karen Police Station every two weeks.
  • Mr Alden has been in custody at the Industrial Area Prison after he denied killing Grace Wangeci Kinyanjui at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.

  • In addition to the requirements for his release from custody, Mr Alden was also ordered to “disclose his place of residence before bond terms are processed.”

A British businessman accused of shooting a woman to death in Nairobi has been granted bail.

Judge Jessie Lessit declined to continue holding Richard Alden, 52, in custody and upheld submissions by lawyer Tom Okundi declaring that “there were no compelling reasons” to do so.

The prosecution had vehemently objected to the release of the former Wananchi Group CEO on bond, saying there was a likelihood of interference with witnesses.

While granting the Sh2 million cash bail for the murder suspect, the judge ordered him to deposit his passport in court as additional security for the reprieve.

The judge also directed the suspect to “report every two weeks to Karen Police Station.”

In addition to the requirements for his release from custody, Mr Alden was also ordered to “disclose his place of residence before his bond terms are processed.”

Mr Alden has been in custody at the Industrial Area Prison after he denied killing Grace Wangeci Kinyanjui at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.

The suspect returns to court on July 5 in a separate trial over illegal gun possession and for being in the country illegally.

Mr Alden was arrested after investigators ruled out an initial report that Ms Wangeci had shot herself when a loaded pistol accidentally went off while she was playing with it and taking selfies.

Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki, who had opposed bond for the suspect, told the trial court that the suspect “cannot be trusted as he gave conflicting accounts following the fatal incident.

(Editing by Joel Muinde and Henry Gekonde)