Six appear before Kericho court deny killing Nakuru women

Josphat Juma, Issac Kinyanjui, Julius Otieno, Ficky Makokha, and Dennis Mmbolo when they appeared before Nakuru Principal Magistrate Yvonne Khatambi in July 2022. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

Six men have denied killing four women in Mawanga area of Nakuru County on dates between December 2, 2021, and June 24, 2022.

Evans Michori, Kevin Omondi, Josphat Simiyu, Julius Otieno, Dennis Alusiola and Isaac Kinyanjui appeared virtually before Kericho High Court Judge Asenath Ongeri on August 3, 2022. The six who were held in Nakuru police stations were arraigned in Kericho because the duty court sits there this week for the August recess.

They, however, denied killing Beatrice Akinyi, 21, on December 2, 2021, at Kwabuda in Nakuru North Sub County, Nakuru County. They also denied the charge that implicates them in the murder of Grace Wanjiku, 20, on June 15, 2022, at Mawanga area near All Nations in Nakuru County. The six men further pleaded not guilty to killing Susan Wambui, 38.

"The accused persons murdered Wambui on June 21, 2022, at Ngomongi Village of Nakuru North Sub County," read to the charge sheet in part.

According to the prosecution, the six are also said to have murdered Diana Opicho, 23, at her home in the Workers Mawanga area in Nakuru County on June 24, 2022, a charge they denied. Through their lawyers, they pleaded with the court to release them on a reasonable bail term. They said that they were not a flight risk and would respect court summons during the mention and hearing of the case.

However, in an affidavit filed before the court, Inspector Peter Kamau wants the accused to be denied bail. He avers that the accused persons allegedly murdered the four women and may kill more if released. Kamau, the investigating officer states that the six escaped and the police took long to pursue them.

"They are a flight risk and were arrested in their hideouts. Upon realising they were being sought, they switched off their mobile phones, making it difficult for police to track them," claims Kamau.

Kamau is adamant that the six know witnesses who have placed them at the scenes of the crime and if released, they will interfere with witnesses. He adds that the accused persons' grievous charges may attract death sentences and the same may be an incentive to abscond court if released.

"The cases are of public interest and have drawn emotions from the residents of Nakuru and it is prudent that the six are held in custody for their own safety, pending the conclusion of the trial," reads the affidavit.

Judge Ongeri directed the detectives to serve the affidavit to the lawyers of the six for a response. She denied the six bail pending the hearing and determination of the bond opposition application.

Michori will be detained at Naivasha Maximum Prison while the other five will be detained at Nakuru GK Prisons.

The case will be mentioned on October 4.