Karume’s grandson charged with murder

The grandson of former minister Njenga Karume, Wathugi Karume, at the Milimani Law Courts yesterday, where he denied charges of murdering his fiancee.  [PHOTO: FIDELIS KABUNYI/STANDARD]

The grandson of former Minister Njenga Karume has been charged with murdering his fiancee at a Nairobi court.

Wathugi Karume appeared before Justice Jesse Lessit and denied killing Victoria Wairimu.

He is said to have committed the offense on the night of March,24, at Gracia apartment Kiambu.

The prosecution told the court that the accused was fit to face trial as it had been proven after a mental assessment was conducted.

Wathugi, a trained pilot was arrested by police in Kiambu on the night of March, 24 ,after his fiance was reported dead after falling from the fourth floor of their house in Kiambu town.

Wairimu was confirmed dead moments after falling from the balcony of their house found at Gracia apartments, a building owned by the Karume family. Kiambu deputy police boss Johnson Lyabila confirmed Karume's arrest immediately after the incident but declined to comment further.

Karume told the police that Mumbi died after jumping from the balcony of their house after a disagreement.

However, neighbors reported hearing commotion from the couple's house before Mumbi's lifeless body was found on the ground floor in a pool of blood.

Wathugi first appeared before Kiambu Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku, on Tuesday, March 29, and has been in custody until his prosecution yesterday.

Wairimu, 38, was buried at Nairobi's Lang'ata cemetery on Tuesday last week where speakers called on the Government to bring the culprits to book. Her mother, Ruth Nyakio, said her daughter was not suicidal as claimed.

The case will be heard on September 13 and 14.