Two deny attempted murder of Idris Mukhtar, Charles kanjama

Juliet Charity Njoki and Mohamud Hussein Aden at Milimani Law Courts on September 12,2018 where they denied charges of attempting to Kill Idriss Mukhtar and conspiring to kill lawyer Charles Kanjama. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL |NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mohamud Hussein Aden and Ms Juliet Charity Njoki denied on Wednesday that they attempted to kill Mr Idris Mukhtar on May 19.

  • The prosecution opposed the release of the suspects on bond saying they were flight risks and likely to interfere with witnesses.

  • Mr Andayi directed that a probation report be filed in court before he makes a decision on the bond application.

Two people have been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a former Garissa county official.

Mr Mohamud Hussein Aden and Ms Juliet Charity Njoki denied on Wednesday that they attempted to kill Mr Idris Mukhtar on May 19.

ACCOMPLICES

The two also denied that they conspired to kill lawyer Charles Njiru Kanjama, an offence they allegedly committed between July 1 and September 27.

The court heard that the accused, with others not before court, attempted to cause the death of Mr Mukhtar by shooting and injuring him at White Star Restaurant along Kandara Road in Kileleshwa, Nairobi County.

The former minister is still admitted at the Intensive Care Unit at a Nairobi hospital, so police told the court that they fear the accused might harm him if released on bail.

After denying the charges, the prosecution opposed the release of the suspects on bond saying they were flight risks and likely to interfere with witnesses.

The court also heard that police were yet to arrest their accomplices.

MARRIAGE

The prosecutor further told Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi that the two co-habit near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Mr Aden's lawyer dismissed this claim saying he is married to Mercy Wanjiru Wangui and that they both reside in Machakos County.

While noting that he has four children, Mr Aden said it was shocking for the prosecution to claim that he is married to Ms Njoki.

Ms Njoki, who was not represented by a lawyer, shed tears when she was asked to respond to the application by the prosecution.

She asked for time to compose herself and for the court to allow her to respond in camera.

Before the court adjourned briefly, the woman said she was tortured in police custody.

The court was also told that Ms Njoki was identified by a witness in a parade on September 10.

PROBATION REPORT

Mr Andayi directed that a probation report be filed in court before he makes a decision on the bond application.

He said the report should cover claims that Ms Njoki and Mr Aden were a couple; whether they lived in a border town and whether there was tension in Garissa after the shooting of Mr Mukhtar.

The ruling on their release will be made on September 18 while the trial will start on October 17.