50 ready to testify on George Thuo’s murder

By FRED MAKANA

Nairobi, Kenya: Relatives of six people accused of killing former Chief Whip George Thuo broke into tears as the accused took their plea. The six denied the charges before Justice Roseline Korir days after they were remanded pending police investigations.

Paul Wainaina Boiyo, the proprietor of Porkies Garden Restaurant in Thika Town where Thuo developed health complications before being pronounced dead, appeared before Justice Roseline Korir. With him were Christopher Lumbazio Andika alias Lumba, two disc jockeys – Andrew Karanja Wainaina and Samuel Kuria Ngugi alias Visi, a waitress, Esther Ndinda Mulinge, and club patron Ruth Watahi Irungu alias Atlanta.

The six, together with others not before court, were accused of murdering Thuo on the night of November 17 last year, at Porkies.

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alloys Kemo informed court that police have so far covered substantial grounds to believe the six accused are linked to the death of the former Juja MP.

“On the basis of evidence gathered by police during the ongoing investigation, there are grounds to prosecute the accused with the murder charge,” Kemo said.

He, however, said police are still investigating to establish whether more suspects would be charged with the murder. He also said the State seeks to call over 50 witnesses to testify in the case once trial begins.

The prosecutor asked the court to remand the accused pending the hearing and determination of their case. However, the first accused, through defence lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Ken Nyasani, immediately petitioned Justice Korir seeking to be admitted to bail.

Ombeta said the accused was willing to appear in court when needed and would attend trial until its conclusion. The judge rejected an earlier attempt by the prosecution to ask for two weeks to file a replying affidavit to the defence application.

The judge set a mention of the case for February 10, when the High Court is also expected to give a ruling on the bail application. Hearing is set to commence on October 27.