Bar owner charged with manslaughter

By Joseph Muchiri

A bar owner in Mararu market, Mbeere South District, has been charged with 12 counts of manslaughter in a Siakago Court.

Ramleck Muriithi Mugo appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Samuel Mokua and was charged that together with another woman, he caused the death of 12 people after they drunk an illicit brew at his bar on August 7. Several others lost their eyesight.The 12 people included Josphat Mwaniki Nyagah, Gilbert Gitonga, Johnson Muchangi, Mary Muthoni Mbai, James Mureithi Mbiti and Augustine Nyaga Kiura.

Others included David Njeru, Patrick Mbai, Peterson Kariuki, Kennedy Mwangangi, Shadrack Mutembei and Boniface Mbogo Nguru.

He denied all the charges and was remanded until December 22 when his bond application will be considered.

Mugo had requested to be released on bond but the request was denied since he had earlier run away when a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

The magistrate ordered for a psychological check up of the accused due to the nature of the crime.

Another charge

The accused was informed that another charge would be added to the 12 counts since he declined to present himself to the police after the warrant of arrest was issued until Thursday when police arrested him.

Police arrested him in Siakago town where he had been hiding since the incident happened.

His co-accused Nyawira Nyaga had earlier on been remanded at Embu GK prison after she was unable to raise a bond of Sh1 million.