Suspect in MCA aspirant children's murder fails to take plea

Enock Onsase (left), suspected to have killed three children of Kapsoya MCA aspirant escorted by police from a court in Eldoret on May 23, 2017. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said they are collaborating with other State agencies due to the magnitude of the case.
  • The three children had been missing before they were found dead in River Nzoia.

Detectives have asked for time to look for more evidence linking a prime suspect to the cold-blooded killing of three brothers.

They also want to establish whether the suspect, Enock Onsase, had accomplices and whether the murder was politically-linked or whether it was because of a family feud.

The children’s father, Mr James Ratemo, is the Kanu candidate for Kapsoya Ward in Uasin Gishu. He has asked for speedy investigations.

The prosecution yesterday said it planned to amend the charge to murder after Onsase was initially charged with abduction of his brother’s children – Clifford Nyamweya, 6, Dan Nyamweya, 5, and Glen Ongaki, 3, who were reported missing before their bodies were found in River Nzoia.

SEEN WITH CHILDREN

Mr Onsase was arrested after a cousin of the slain children said he had seen him with them before they were reported missing.

A neighbour also later told police he had seen Onsase with the children in Eldoret town on the same day they were reported missing.

When Onsase was brought before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Charles Obulutsa, he appeared relaxed and did not take a plea as more time was granted to carry out investigations.

Lawyer Zachary Omwenga asked for more time to amend the charge in collaboration with various State organs which have been brought into the matter due to its magnitude.

Mr Omwenga said the move was informed by preliminary findings which indicated that the children were murdered.

CHILDREN ABDUCTED

“Preliminary investigations had shown that the children had been abducted by the suspect with the impression that the children would be found alive. But when the children’s bodies were found in River Nzoia, the dynamics of the investigation changed,” said Mr Omwenga.

He said that owing to the belief that the three children were killed, there was a feeling that more people were involved, hence the need to look for the other suspects.

He said the police department had sent more specialised officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to carry out a forensic investigation.

MORE INVESTIGATORS

“As you are aware, forensic investigations in most cases are done in Nairobi. However, in this case, we must unearth many things revolving around this matter, bearing in mind that these are three children who were killed, hence the reason the government has sent in more investigators,” said Mr Omwenga.

The court granted the state counsel the request and the suspect will appear again in court on June 6, when he is expected to take his plea.