By MUNENE KAMAU
An Administration Police officer accused of killing ten people in Siakago early this month was charged with several counts of murder.
But Constable Peter Karanja remained silent as the capital offence counts were read out before Embu Resident Judge Wanjiru Karanja.
When asked by the court if he understood the charges, Karanja remained quiet, only occasionally gazing at Wanjiru.
His lawyer, a Ms Kihara, told the court she could not understand why the officer opted not to respond to the charges and enter a plea.
Wanjiru entered a plea of not guilty on all the ten counts of murder, as required by law, and ordered the matter be mentioned on December 1, when a hearing date will be fixed.
Murder victims
Karanja was charged that on November 6 at Siakago, he murdered Anthony Mwaniki, Frida Ng’endo, Kenwin Muthomi, Agostino Kinyua and George Ng’ang’a.
Other counts relate to the murder of Domisiano Muchira, Ephantus Munyi, Rachel Muthoni, Wilfred Gitonga and Fredrick Okwako. Gitonga and Okwako were APs based at the Mbeere North DC’s office.
Before the charges were read, his lawyer had applied Karanja be subjected to a psychiatric examination to ascertain if he was fit to stand trial.
But State Counsel Margaret Muciru objected to the application, saying the same had been conducted as required. The counsel told the court the suspect had been confirmed fit to face the murder charges.
Karanja was then driven to the Embu Prison where he was remanded until the next mention date.
