Slain trader Julius Kimani's widow freed, barred from home

The High Court in Nakuru on Friday released the widow of slain businessman Julius Kimani on a Sh500,000 bond, a year after she was remanded.

Ms Gladys Wambui and four others are charged with the murder of Mr Kimani but she is the main suspect.

CONDITION

In the ruling, however, Justice Anthony Ndung’u barred Ms Wambui from visiting their family home until the case is concluded.

Ms Wambui was placed in custody after the court directed that her bond review application be determined after testimonies by three key witnesses.

This was after the prosecution convinced the court that she was capable of interfering and intimidating the three, who are said to be her employees and relatives.

The witnesses - Ms Dianarose Wanjiku Mumbi, Ms Jane Nyambura and Mr Arthur Macharia Mwangi - have since testified since the court gave them priority.

Ms Wambui, through lawyer Wambeyi Makomere, later filed the application for bond review.

“I find no compelling reasons to limit the constitutional rights of the first accused person since the three key witnesses have already testified. She should, however, not visit the family home pending the determination of this matter,” Justice Ndung’u ruled on Friday.

This means Ms Wambui will not set foot at their matrimonial home in Nakuru.

THE CASE

Ms Wambui allegedly paid Sh1.2 million to her husband’s killers, who kidnapped him on the night of December 1, 2017 as he returned from work.

His body was found at the Nakuru South cemetery the following morning.

Ms Wambui was then arrested alongside Ms Rahab Mukenye, Mr Alex Muhonja, Mr James Mwaura and Mr Nicholus Mudegu.

They all denied murder charges and were released on bonds of Sh500,000.

Mr Kimani was the owner of Kimsnet Limited, one of the biggest suppliers of garments in Nakuru.

The hearing will continue on February 5, 2019.