Fourth AP officer to remain in police custody over lawyer murder

Sergeant Leonard Maina Mwangi appeared in court Tuesday over the murder of lawyer Willie Mwangi and two others. (Photo: Standard)

Nairobi: A fourth Administration Police Officer linked to the killing of city lawyer Willie Kimani and two others will now remain in custody for 13 days to allow police complete investigations.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Gandhani directed Sergeant Leonard Maina Mwangi to be detained at an undisclosed police station until July 18.

“I am satisfied given the nature of complex investigations into the alleged offence, the suspect should remain in custody pending investigations,” Ms Gandhani ruled.

Kimani and his client Josephat Mwenda, a boda boda operator and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri went missing on June 23 after attending court session at Mavoko Law Courts.

Director of Public Prosecutions through prosecutor Duncan Ondimu urged the court to detain Mwangi, who is attached to Syokimau chief’s camp, on grounds that he is likely to interfere with ongoing probe and witnesses.

“Most witnesses in this matter have not completed recording statements, it will be prudent that the suspect remains in custody since he is likely to interfere with witnesses,” Ondimu said.

Mr Ondimu said Mwangi is set to be charged once in-depth investigations into brutal killing of Kimani, Mwenda and Muiruri are completed.

The arraignment of Mwangi in court comes a day after three police officers; Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Chebulet and Silivia Wanjiku, who are also linked to the killings, were remanded for 14 days.

The four APs were arrested following pressure from Law Society of Kenya, International Justice Mission, politicians and the clergy.

Monday, Ondimu said detectives are still analyzing the phone data of the three deceased persons and the four suspects, adding that other suspects are yet to be arrested.

He said police are still retracing the movement of the vehicle that was used by Kimani, Mwenda and Muiruri on the day they were killed.

Ondimu, who asked the court to grant prosecution 13 days, said Mwangi was arrested on Monday night and police have not had adequate time to complete investigations. He said the suspect should be detained since in assessing witness vulnerability, the prosecution seeks to involve the Witness Protection Agency.

He said the DPP has also appointed a team of investigators who will work closely with other government investigation agencies in bringing more culprits to book.