More suspects charged over Matungu killings

From left: Alex Wanzofu, Boniface Ochieng, Chrispinus Ataku Musumba, Isaac Watsula, Kevin Otieka and Fredrick Opiyo when they appeared before Kakamega Resident Magistrate William Lopokoiyit.

The court has ordered detention of six more suspects alleged to have participated in Matungu killings whose toll stands at 21.

This brings to 14 the number of suspects arraigned on allegations of being members of a gang terrorising residents of Matungu sub-county.

Augustine Juma, Adam Ibrahim, Dismas Mukoya, Juma Musindalo, Peter Amache and Mohammed Makhoka were yesterday accused of participating in the brutal murder of seven-year-old Malik Mukhya.

They, however, did not take plea after the lead investigator, Inspector of Police Samuel Asuke, sought to have them detained for seven more days to conclude investigations.

In a sworn affidavit, Mr Asuke said the six are linked to the killings, adding that the suspects are to provide more information on other gang members.

“The respondents were arrested on various dates and places between May 20 and 21 in an ongoing operation at Matungu after a report of a series of murder cases,” he said.

Mental assessment

Asuke said the suspects must undergo a compulsory mental assessment exercise to ascertain if they are fit to stand murder trial.

He said the post-mortem examination on seven-year-old is yet to be done to establish the actual cause of death.

Alex Wanzofu, Boniface Ochieng, Chrispinus Ataku, Isaac Watsula, Kevin Otieka and Fredrick Opiyo were on Tuesday arraigned in connection with the murders. Kakamega Resident Magistrate William Lopokoiyit ordered they remain locked at Kakamega Police Station.

Others who were arraigned on Monday are Fredrick Shitechi Osore alias Abdallah and Anerico Mark McJimmy.

State Prosecutor Samson Ng’etich said the murders have become an issue of huge public concern, thus the detention of the suspects for further investigations has merit.

The case will be mentioned on June 6.