Two deny killing Mary Wambui, ask to be released on bond

Judy Wangui Mungai and Michel Githae Mathenge at Kiambu High Court yesterday, where they were charged with the murder of Mary Wambui Kamangara. Both denied the charges and were remanded until March 18 when their bond application will be heard. [Kamau Maichuhie, Standard]

Two suspects who have been in police custody for the murder of a Kiambu businesswoman were yesterday charged.

Judy Wangui Mungai and Michel Githae Mathenge were arraigned at Kiambu High Court, where they faced charges of killing Mary Wambui Kamangara last January.

Ms Wangui and Mr Mathenge were charged that on January 26 and 27 this year, they, jointly with others not before the court, at Fourways Junction Estate along Kiambu-Nairobi road, murdered Ms Kamangara.

They appeared before Kiambu High Court Judge Christine Meoli, where they denied the charges.

Prosecution counsel Christine Ndombi opposed the duo’s request to be released on bond.

Pre-bail report

The court set March 18 for mention of the case. The pre-bail report will also be presented that same day.

The suspects were supposed to take plea on Tuesday last week, but the defence said it was not well prepared for the case.

Lawyer Doreen Kalii, who was holding brief for Cliff Ombeta, Ms Wangui’s lawyer, explained that they were not ready for the case since they were attending to other matters.

Sam Ogutu, representing Mathenge, also said he needed more time to familiarise himself with the case.

Yesterday, the court set pre-trial conference of the case for July 30, while the hearing was set for October 7 and 8.

In the meantime, the duo will remain in custody, awaiting the outcome of their bond application.

Ms Kalii’s attempt to make an application to have the court order the release of Wangui’s Mercedes Benz, which has been in police custody, was not successful after the judge told her to let the court first deal with the bond issue.

Two weeks ago police unconditionally released Joseph Kori Karue, the husband of the slain businesswoman. Kori had been in police custody since his wife was killed.

According to police sources, forensic analysis of Kori’s phone, as well as witness statements, made it impossible to place him at the scene of the murder.

Suffocated her

A postmortem examination conducted on Wambui’s body showed that her killers hit her nine times on the head, inflicting serious injuries that led to her death.

The postmortem report also indicated that her killer(s) suffocated her, causing her death.

Wambui’s body was found dumped near a dam in Mugutha estate in Juja on January 27. It also had a deep cut on one side of her forehead.