Hawker charged with killing Nyeri activist Joan Muthoni

Mr Geoffrey Gathenya, a hawker, when he appeared in Nyeri Law Courts on November 6, 2018 and charged with killing political activist Joan Muthoni. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Court orders suspect freed on Sh200,000 cash bail or Sh500,000 bond with surety of similar amount.
  • Suspect has been in remand since his arrest after the incident on October 24, 2018.

A hawker accused of killing his lover, Nyeri political activist Joan Muthoni Mathai, has been released on a Sh500,000 bond and a surety of similar amount after denying the offence.

Mr Geoffrey Gathenya Gachukia, who is disabled, was arraigned before Nyeri Senior Principal Magistrate Phillip Mutua where he was charged with manslaughter.

He was carried to the dock by two court orderlies.

The court heard that he unlawfully killed the deceased, a mother of three on October 24, 2018 at their home in Pembe Tatu Estate in Nyeri town.

After denying the charge, Mr Mutua said if the accused fails to pay the bond, he can deposit a cash bail of Sh200,000 to secure his freedom.

Nyeri residents march through Nyeri town to St Peter's Cemetery for the burial of political activist Joan Muthoni on November 6, 2018. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The court also directed the prosecution to supply Mr Gathenya, who has been in police custody since the incident occurred, with copies of witness statements before hearing of the case kicks off on December 15, 2018.

Residents march through Nyeri town en route to St Peter's cemetery for the burial of political activist Joan Muthoni on November 6, 2018. A hawker has been charged with manslaughter over her death. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The hawker is alleged to have committed the offence following a domestic dispute in a suspected love triangle.​