Court allows police to detain fourth suspect in Willie Kimani killing for 13 days

Administration Police officer Leonard Maina Mwangi appears in a Nairobi court on July 5, 2016 after he was linked to the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client and taxi driver. Police were allowed to detain Mr Mwangi for 13 days to analyse his phone records and get his statement. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Leonard Maina Mwangi is an Administration Police office at the Syokimau Chief's Camp where the murdered people were allegedly held before the killing.
  • The prosecution contended that Mr Mwangi, being a sergeant in rank, may interfere with witnesses.

A fourth suspect arrested over the killing of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwenda and a taxi driver Joseph Muiruri has been detained for 13 days.

Mr Leonard Maina Mwangi, an Administration Police officer at the Syokimau Chief’s Camp, appeared before a criminal court in Nairobi where investigators sought an extended custodial order against him “to help with investigations.”

The court was told the suspect is linked to the abduction and subsequent murders and investigators needed time to analyse his phone records and get his statement.

Flying Squad officer Joseph Mucheru presented the sworn affidavit before principal magistrate Joyce Gandani who granted the order.

“The nature of investigations is serious and we require more time,” the affidavit read.

The court was told that an analysis of the crime scene, including the fabricated container at the Syokimau Chief’s Camp in which the murdered subjects were allegedly held before they were killed, was incomplete.

The prosecution contended that Mr Mwangi, being a sergeant in rank, may interfere with witnesses.

In addition, the prosecution believes that there are still more suspects at large who were accomplices in the murder.

So far, three other Administration Police officers have been detained over the killings.

The court allowed the police 14 days to hold the three officers in custody for interrogation and recording of statements.

(Editing by Joel Muinde)