A woman and her three sons accused of killing a relative following a domestic row have been detained for 10 days.
The four, among them a minor, were yesterday arraigned in a Kakamega court but could not take plea after the investigating officer told the court that he was yet to conclude investigations.
In a sworn affidavit, Police Constable Samson Kithera, attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), said he is yet to record statements from all possible witnesses.
Jenevela Lumonyi and her three sons Sabestian Mutanyi, Stanleus Chumba and a minor aged 13 are alleged to have murdered Flora Shamalanda on the night of April 23 at their Shisere village, Ikolomani sub-county.
Ms Lumonyi is said to have accused Shamalanda her in-law, of unfaithfulness in marriage leading to a bitter exchange of words.
Irked by the sentiments, Shamalanda is said to have confronted Lumonyi who was later joined by her sons. They are accused of assaulting her.
She is said to have died before being rushed to hospital for treatment and police officers were called to collect the body from the crime scene.
Further, the detective said the suspects are yet to undergo mandatory mental assessment tests to ascertain if they are fit to stand trial.
“The body of the deceased which was recovered from the scene of crime is yet to undergo pathological tests to establish the actual cause of death. It is for these reasons that we pray for custodial orders for the suspects to facilitate investigations,” said PC Kithela.
Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng’ ordered the minor to be detained at Kakamega Juvenile Remand Home while the three others to be locked up at Kakamega Police Station.
The matter shall be mentioned on May 2.
