Economy

Former, current directors in the dock over four of ten killings

kihiupix

Some shareholders of Kihiu Mwiri land buying company in a Nairobi court Wednesday where they were accused of murdering of 4 directors of the company on diverse dates between May 10 and July 29, 2015. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU

Sixteen current and former directors of the trouble-ridden Kihiu Mwiri land-buying company have been charged with the murders of four fellow officials.

They were arraigned in court Wednesday but were not required to plead to the charges pending the mental assessments required in murder trials.

The suspects will return to court on September 21 after their medical reports are filed alongside their committal bundles.

They have been in custody for the past month after preliminary investigations linked them to the kidnappings and subsequent murders of ten other firm directors in the past two years.

Judge Jessie Lessit deferred the plea and directed that the suspects be held in custody pending their next appearance.

The prosecution last week sought more time to complete investigations.

State Counsel Catherine Mwaniki had asked for their continued detention saying investigators were closing in on “crucial leads that may materialize”.

The suspects were arrested in connection with the numerous deaths that have occurred between March 25, 2014 and July 29, 2015 in Kiambu and Muran’ga counties, a Nairobi court was told.

Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki told the court: “Preliminary investigations have linked the respondents with murders or disappearances of James Macharia, Job Mwangi and Solomon Macharia, who went missing on March 25, 2014 and have not been traced to date;

Wilfred Gichana, who was shot dead on May 12, 2014, Charles Ngugi, shot dead on January 18 2015, Peter Kuria, shot dead on May 10 2015, Paul Muhuhi shot dead on June 28, 2015;

Peter Kariuki, who went missing on July 1, 2015, Zachary Chege and Josephat Kibe, who were both killed on July 29, 2015.”

Yesterday, however, the suspects were charged with the murder of Paul Mahihu Bernard at Majengo estate in Thika township on June 28 this year.

They were also accused of the murders of Zachary Chege Kirau on July 29, 2015 and Peter Kimani Kuria on May 10, both in Murang’a.

The suspects were also accused of the murder of Josephat Kibe on July 29 this year. The offences were allegedly committed jointly with others not before court.

“Investigators are in the process of receiving vital information likely to lead to the recovery of firearms used in the killings,” the prosecutor said.

She said investigators were also interested in gathering forensic data from mobile phones belonging to the suspects.

The prosecutor said police were also closing in on “more suspects” as crucial leads were being followed. She said it was important that the suspects remain in custody so that they may not interfere with witnesses.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had ordered a speedy investigation to get to the bottom of the mystery killings.

Mr Joseph Waweru, Mr Henry Ngugi, Mr Harrison Kibande, Mr Bernard Murigi, Mr Josephat Macharia and Ms Mary Mburu amongst others were represented by lawyer Mbiu Kamua.

Lawyer Evans Ondieki also represented some of the suspects and complained that their rights had been violated by their long stay in custody.

The suspects are held at the Muthaiga police station in Nairobi.