Woman put on defence in principal murder case

Jane Muthoni (right), the main suspect in the murder of her husband Solomon Mwangi and her co-accused Isaac Ng’ang’a. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

A court has ruled that former Icaciri Secondary School Principal Jane Muthoni, who is accused of killing her husband, has a case to answer.

Yesterday, High Court judge Janet Mulwa ruled that Ms Muthoni and her co-accused Isaac Ng’ang’a alias Gikuyu will stand trial for the murder of Kiru Boys Principal Solomon Mwangi.

Justice Mulwa said the prosecution has built a tight case against the two, by gathering enough evidence. 

“A prima facie case has been established against the two accused persons. They are hereby put on their defence,” Mulwa ruled.

A prima facie case means that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to sustain a murder charge, and it is possible for a court to convict the suspect (s).

Mulwa was reading the ruling on behalf of Justice Joel Ngugi.

“At this point in the case, it would be improper to assess the strength and the weakness of the prosecution’s case unless it is compared with the defence’s arguments,” Mulwa said.

She revealed that the prosecution will be presenting 21 witnesses. Earlier, both suspects had insisted that they have no case to answer. 

Muthoni and Ngángá are accused of killing Mwangi, Muthoni’s husband, on diverse dates between November 6 and November 11, 2016, at Karakuta Coffee Estate in Juja sub-county, Kiambu County.

In its submissions, the prosecution said Muthoni contracted Ng’ang’a and three other persons to kill her husband after suspecting that he was unfaithful.

Apart from Ng’ang’a, two other people were alleged to have participated in Mr Mwangi’s killing.

Lesser charge

They are Nelson Njiru and Joseph Kariuki Njuguna alias Karis. Njiru is still at large.

Kariuki is serving a seven-year jail term after he admitted to being involved in the murder and pleaded for a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Kariuki revealed that Muthoni promised him Sh400,000 to help in killing Mwangi. The case will be mentioned on November 26.