Suspects in Kihiu Mwiri murder case to remain in custody for six months

Some of the suspects charged with the murder of Kihiu Mwiri company officials in the dock at a Milimani court Monday. [PHOTO: GEORGE NJUNGE/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Sixteen former and current shareholders of the troubled Kihiu Mwiri land-buying company will remain in custody for six months pending hearing of their murder case.

Justice Jessie Lessit Monday directed the suspects to be remanded at Kamiti and Langata prisons until May 2, 2016, after they denied the murder charges. They are facing charges linked to the murder of four officials.

The judge also directed the prosecution to supply the defence teams of the suspects with copies of all witness statements to be relied on during trial by October 6.

This is after lawyer Duncan Okatch claimed the defence was unable to prepare adequately for trial as the documents were voluminous.

Mr Okatch also asked the court to admit the suspects to bail saying it was their constitutional right.

Monday, through a Kikuyu interpreter, the 16 suspects denied murdering Paul Mahihu Bernard in Majengo estate in Thika township on June 28, Zachary Chege Kirau on July 29 in Murang'a, Peter Kimani Kuria on May 10 in Murang'a, and Josephat Kibe on July 29.

"I direct the case to commence on uninterrupted dates beginning on May 2 up to May 18, 2016, except weekends. Meanwhile, the suspects will remain in custody awaiting their trial," Justice Lessit ruled.

State Cnsel Catherine Mwaniki Monday said the prosecution intends to call over 30 witnesses to buttress the case.

Ms Mwaniki said medical reports had indicated that all the suspects were fit to stand trial.

She requested for eight consecutive days for the hearing of the case, adding that the State seeks to expedite the case once trial begins in May, next year.

The suspects have been in custody for the last one month.

The prosecution had linked the 16 suspects to the deaths and disappearances of 10 other people after the killings attracted public outcry.

Police had previously linked the killings to persistent disagreements among directors of the company.