Suspects in Nakuru prison warder's murder freed on bond

Prison warders Joseph Kairu and Raymond Kiplimo, who are accused of murdering their colleague Caroline Chepchirchir Chesire, at a Nakuru Court on May 23, 2019, when they were granted bond. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Joseph Openda

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Mr Raymond Kiplimo and Mr Joseph Kairu, who are based at the Nakuru GK Prison, are accused of killing Ms Caroline Chepchirchir Chesire.
  • In her ruling, justice Rachael Ng’etich noted that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence that would compel the court to deny the suspects bond.
  • While objecting to the suspects' release, the prosecution had said they were likely to interfere with witnesses, who are their colleagues, since they are both prison officers.

Two prison officers charged with the murder of their female colleague were on Thursday released on Sh2 million bond each with sureties of the same amount.

Mr Raymond Kiplimo and Mr Joseph Kairu, who are based at the Nakuru GK Prison, are accused of killing Ms Caroline Chepchirchir Chesire.

They allegedly murdered Ms Chesire, of the Nakuru Women’s Prison, between April 2 and 3.

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WITNESSES

In her ruling, justice Rachael Ng’etich noted that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence that would compel the court to deny the suspects bond.

“The state has failed to prove to the court the possibility that the suspects will interfere with witnesses or flee upon release," she said.

While objecting to the suspects' release, the prosecution had said they were likely to interfere with witnesses, who are their colleagues, since they are both prison officers.

The court also heard that the two had records of absconding, as indicated in record from the prisons department.

Regarding this, the judge said the absenteeism was not a factor to consider since it occurred both before and after the murder.

STRANGULATION

Ms Chesire’s body was discovered in a forest in Githioro village, Subukia Sub-county on April 3, a day after she went missing.

Mr Kiplimo and Mr Kairu are said to have been the last to see her alive - at a liquor joint in Nakuru town on the evening before her disappearance.

The post mortem indicated that she was strangled to death.

The suspects will be remanded at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison pending processing of their bond.

The case will be mentioned on June 17.

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