Suspect arraigned in court over killing of college student

Idi Mustafa before Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Omenya at the Eldoret High Court, where he was arraigned. He was charged with killing a college student Emma Wanyotta at Moi's Bridge in Uasin Gishu County on October 2, 2019. [Peter Ochieng', Standard]

A suspect in the death of a college student in Moi's Bridge, Eldoret, has been detained for 20 days to allow police to complete investigations.

Mustapha Idd (pictured) appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Menya but did not take a plea.

He was arrested after the mutilated body of Emma Wanyotta was discovered in a nappier grass farm next to her mother's house on Monday night.

Investigating officer Veronica Muinami told the court that Mustapha was a flight risk because he was facing other criminal charges.

“The suspect has another murder case at the Kitale Police Station, which is coming up for hearing on October 24. We are yet to establish the criminal number,” Ms Muinami stated in her application.

She said Mustapha's file had not been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and advice, adding that “the investigation is complex considering the seriousness of the crime".

The officer also told the court that a postmortem had not been done on Wanyotta's body, which was lying at Kitale Level 4 Hospital.

Muinami said detaining Mustapha would ensure that he did not interfere with key witnesses who were yet to record statements. She added that the suspect's life was in danger after members of the public threatened to kill him.

The matter will be mentioned on October 22.