Ivy murder suspect Kinuthia handed two weeks in State remand

Naftaly Kinuthia confers with his lawyer Mbiu Kamau in Eldoret High Court yesterday. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

A man accused of killing a medical student at Moi University will be locked up for 14 days after he was arraigned before an Eldoret Court yesterday.

Naftali Njahi Kinuthia, 29, appeared before Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Douglas Moseti.

Throngs of people filled the courtroom to catch a glimpse of the suspect, who was under tight police escort. Mr Kinuthia had visible injuries on his face, and head.

He, however, did not plead to the charges after senior assistant State Director of Public Prosecution Fredah Mwanza requested the court to allow police more time to complete investigations.

She also said the suspect needs time to take a statement first.

Kinuthia is alleged to have killed Ivy Wangechi, a final year student at Moi University School of Medicine, on April 9, outside Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

"Your honour, we request this honourable court to allow the suspect to be held at Naiberi Police Station," said Ms Mwanza.

She noted that Kinuthia had been in hospital from April 9 to Friday last week when he was discharged and released to police.

Phone examination

"The accused hasn't undergone a mental assessment test, and a P3 form has not been filled," said Mwanza.

Mwanza informed the court that both Kinuthia's and the late Wangechi's phones have been taken to Nairobi for forensic examination.

Mbiu Kamau, Kinuthia's lawyer, did not object to the prosecution's proposals.

The case will be mentioned on April 30.