Teenager denies killing Naivasha girl

Pall-bearers at the burial of Valerian Njeri in Naivasha. [Antony Gitonga]

The 17-year-old student charged with killing a 16-year-old girl in Naivasha will be held at Naivasha police station for two weeks to await the court decision on bail.

The Form Two student of Nanyuki High School denied killing Valerian Njeri on November 29 in Mirera estate, Naivasha.

The teenager was arraigned before High Court Judge Richard Mwongo.

The victim’s mother on seeing the suspect broke down as a police officer removed handcuffs on the teenagers' hands before the charges were read.

Advocate Mburu said the suspect had undergone age and mental assessments and was awaiting a bail report.

Mburu, while pleading for lenient bail terms, told the judge the aggrieved parents were friends.

“The suspect will be joining Form Four next year and we are praying to the court to determine the bond terms before schools reopen,” he said.

Justice Mwongo directed that the minor be remanded at the Naivasha police station until December 31 when he will rule on the bail application.

Meanwhile, two security guards who had accused Peter Karanja, the estranged husband of Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, of violently robbing them now want to withdraw the charges.

In the case, Karanja, his brother Joel Kuria and the friend Peter Maina are charged with storming into the MP's home in Gilgil and attacking two guards.

According to the charge sheet, the three are accused that on November 9, in Teacher’s estate in Gilgil, and while armed with crude weapons, robbed Eric Nyongesa and John Kamau of their mobile phones and cash.

During the attack on the two guards, the accused used violence before fleeing with the personal effects.

Through their advocate, Mburu, the guards opposed an application by the MP to be enjoined in the case as she was not the complainant.

Naivasha Chief Magistrate Kennedy Bidali will make a ruling on the application on January 23, 2020.