Mbiyu wife to take plea in murder case

By Vincent Mabatuk

The wife of the late Cabinet minister Mbiyu Koinange was arraigned in court in connection with the murder of a Maasai land rights activist, Moses ole Mpoe.

Eddah Wanjiru Mbiyu on Monday appeared before the High Court in Nakuru but could not take plea after the prosecution requested for more time to enable the police subject her to a medical examination.

Eddah Wanjiru Mbiyu (right) in Nakuru High Court where she was arraigned before Justice Enyara Emukule over the murder of Maasai land rights activist Moses ole Mpoe. Photo: Boniface Thuku/Standard

The prosecution led by State counsel Andrew Omutelema while applying for the adjournment said the suspect was arrested over the weekend, thus could not be taken for mental assessment as required by the law for suspects facing murder charges.

Although her lawyers led by Roy Mbaabu and Gordon Ogolla wanted the plea taken before the examination, Justice Enyara Emukule directed that she be taken to a doctor on Monday and return for the plea on Tuesday at 9am.

Mbaabu said it was not fair for the police to continue holding the suspect and yet they already held her in custody for two days.

"It will be fatal for her to take the plea before the medical check-up because what will happen if the doctor concludes she is not fit to stand trial," asked Omutelema.

Emukule directed that the suspect be detained at Central Police Station in Nakuru until Tuesday.

Wanjiru, dressed in a black suit, a green blouse, dark glasses with open shoes was escorted by more than eight police officers to the High Court cells at 10am.

Similar amount

Last year, Mbiyu’s son David Njuno Mbiyu was charged in connection with the murder but he was released after paying Sh1 million bond with two sureties of similar amount pending hearing and determination of the case.

Others charged alongside Njuno and are out on bond are Johnston Kipkurui Kipsigei, Nicholas Ngetich and Stephen Mwanzia.

They have since denied murdering two land activists along Nakuru-Eldoret highway at Njoro junction.

Mbiyu, Kipsigei, Ngetich and Mwanzia are charged that on December 3, 2010, at Soilo area of Nakuru, jointly with others not before the court, they murdered, Moses ole Mpoe and Parsaaiyia ole Kitu.

Fixing

Mpoe was the farm manager of the 4,923-acre Muthera Farm in Mau Narok, which was at the moment owned by Mbiyu’s family.

Ogolla urged the court to consolidate the cases by fixing one hearing date saying the accused were facing similar charges.