Suspect rejects female lawyer

A suspect charged alongside four others with the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwendwa and their driver Joseph Muiruri, wants the court to allocate him a male advocate.

Peter Ngugi who is the fifth accused, told Judge Jessie Lessit that he is not satisfied with the services of his current lawyer Neilias Kinyori.

“My lady I request for a male representative because Mrs Kinyori’s is not representing me properly,” Ngugi said.

His request for a male lawyer was opposed by State counsel Nicholus Mutuku and the victims' lawyer, saying his request is discriminatory.

The advocates said that the accused should accept any lawyer allocated by the State.

"The issue of change of advocate is his constitutional right,” said judge Lessit.

The matter was supposed to proceed yesterday because lawyer Cliff Ombeta who is representing four other suspects — Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku Wanjohi and Leonard Maina Mwangi — was not in court.

The court was informed that he is still unwell.

Ombeta was represented by Lawyer Samson Nyamberi who told the judge that Ombeta’s doctor advised him to take three days of bed rest.