Police granted chance to detain herbalist over death of patient

Beatrice Okumu, a traditional herbalist arraigned in Kakamega court for allegedly killing a deputy head teacher who had gone for treatment in Ingotse, Kakamega County. [Duncan Ocholla/Standard]

A herbalist was yesterday arraigned for allegedly killing a Secondary School teacher.

Beatrice Okumu could not take plea after the investigating officer told the court investigations were yet to be concluded.

In a sworn affidavit, Police Constable John Wanyonyi told the court a postmortem examination was yet to be conducted on the victim’s body and that a psychiatric test for the suspect was also yet to be done.

Ms Okumu is alleged to have killed Vivian Vusho Adori, 57, on March 10 at Ingotse village, Navakholo sub-county.

The victim is said to have gone for medication at the suspect’s house but found Okumu busy attending to other patients.

Her condition is said to have deteriorated while at Okumu’s house. She died.

Officers who were called to the scene arrested the suspect while Adori’s body was taken to Lugulu Hospital mortuary in Bungoma.

Police also recovered an inhaler and an assortment of other medicinal drugs in Adori’s handbag, but could not exonerate the suspect before a pathological test is conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death.

Mental test

“It is in the interest of justice that you grant us at least seven days to conclude our investigations. A mandatory mental examination test for the suspect and a pathological test on the body of the deceased are yet to be undertaken,” Mr Wanyonyi petitioned the court.

Kakamega Senior Resident Magistrate Erick Malesi allowed the application saying it had merit.

The case will be revisited on March 20.