Court defer bond for former soldier accused of murder over witness interference

A former Kenya Air Force soldier charged with killing a woman and her three children in Nanyuki last year has been accused of interfering with witnesses.

Consequently, Justice Jairus Ngaah sitting at the High Court in Nyeri deferred the hearing of a bond application filed by Peter Mwaura Mugure after the prosecution raised the complaint.

The prosecution told the court that Mugure’s sister visited Collin Pamba, a co-accused being held at Keruyoga prison, with a view of persuading him to recant his statement.

“In view of those serious allegations, we seek to oppose the argument of bond application. We also seek seven days to file further affidavit and annexures verifying those allegations,” said Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Peter Mailanyi.

Pamba is charged alongside with Mugure with the murder of Joyce Syombua, her 10-year-old daughter Shanice Maua and son Prince Michael Mwaura junior.

And just like Mugure, Pamba has denied three counts of murder.

Pamba is being held at Kerugoya GK Prison while Mugure is at King’ong’o Maximum Prison.

Ngaah directed the prosecution to file and serve further affidavits within seven days and directed the bond application be heard on January 30 when the hearing date will be fixed.

Syombua and her children Maua and Michael went missing on October 26 after visiting the officer at his home in the Laikipia Airbase.

Their bodies were later found buried at Kilimo Indians’ cemetery in Thingithu.