3 suspects in Nyeri chief's murder case out on bail

Three suspected gunmen linked to the recent shooting of a Nyeri chief have been released on a bond of Sh200,000 with a similar surety.

Mr James Makara King’ori, Mr Ronald Njuguna Waithaka and Mr Duncan Munyaki Wambui were released by Nyeri Resident Magistrate Ruth Kefa after denying charges of conspiracy to commit murder and to defeat justice.

The court heard that on July 26, this year at unknown location within the country, they conspired to murder Chief Peter Kimiti Nyuguto of Kamakwa location in Nyeri town sub-county.

Mr Wambui and Mr King’ori faced separate charges of conspiracy to defeat justice and interference with witnesses.

The court heard that Mr King’ori prevented police detectives from arresting another murder suspect named Mr James Waihuni, who was not in court. He is also accused of hiding the said suspected killer in order to prevent detection and arrest by police.

Mr Wambui, on his part, also allegedly conspired with Mr Waihuni to prevent his arrest and defeat the course of justice.

The charge sheet showed Mr Wambui, while in Nayuki town, gave his mobile phone to Mr Waihuni in order to avoid detection by the police.

The prosecution has lined up 11 witnesses in the case, which will be mentioned on August 29, 2018 for pre-trial hearing.

A source at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives were unable to press murder charges against the suspects over lack of sufficient evidence.

The Union of Kenya Civil Servants has already petitioned government to provide chiefs with firearms.

The union’s Nyeri region secretary Daniel Ndung’u said the administrators are working under risky and insecure circumstances because of high number of illegal guns in held by unauthourised persons.