Court detains magistrate Pauline Chesang over husband’s death

Nyeri magistrate Maisy Pauline Omungala, Lawrence Metayo, Peter Muendo and Alex Wanyonyi when they appeared before a Mavoko court over the murder of city lawyer Robert Chesang. Chesang was shot dead at his Lukenya home on February 17. [Kamau Muthoni, Standard]

A serving magistrate has been detained for nine days to allow police to conclude investigations into her husband’s murder.

Nyeri Senior Resident Magistrate Pauline Omungala Chesang was arrested following the shooting of city lawyer Robert Chesang at their Lukenya home on February 17.

Pauline, who appeared before Mavoko magistrate Elvis Michieka, has been detained at Athi River Police Station.

She was held after she went to the police station where she had been summoned.

Pauline was yesterday detained alongside National Intelligence Service officer Lawrence Metayo, a police constable Peter Muendo and a watchman Alex Wanyonyi.

The State has termed Pauline as a person of interest in the lawyer’s murder.

Prosecutor Christine Torome argued that the suspects were likely to interfere with investigation if released on bail.

The prosecutor said the gun suspected to have been used to commit the murder was found at Mutuine Police Station in Dagoretti, where Muendo is based.

She said the gun had been sent for ballistic analysis.

Police had on February 19 taken Pauline’s mobile phone for analysis and returned it.

“Based on our investigations, she is a person of interest. The investigations are underway and the respondents will assist investigators to arrest other suspects who are still at large,” said Ms Torome.

Pauline’s lawyer Assa Nyakundi urged court to release her on bail, arguing she was sickly and risked being harmed in cells by people she might have given jail sentences.

The lawyer said his client had two children who depended on her.

“Her rights are paramount. She has an acute asthmatic condition. Her medical documents are still locked in her house. The police have the keys and have also taken title deeds that have nothing to do with the case,” said Mr Nyakundi.

Shaken by death

Pauline’s lawyer said she was shaken by her husband’s death and had cooperated with investigators since the probe started.

“There are special circumstances that mitigate against her from being remanded. This is an area she has worked and has sent people to jail. It is not just those she has sent to jail that are a threat to her, even their relatives are and the list is endless. It is important that the first respondent is released on bail,” said Nyakundi.

The court was told that Muendo, 26, was arrested as he tried to escape. He is also said to have absconded duty after the lawyer was shot dead.