Gladys Chania detained for one week as husband's murder investigated

Kiambu politician Gladys Njeri alias Chania has been remanded for seven days to allow police to conclude investigations into her alleged involvement in the murder of her husband George Mwangi.

Ms Chania was arraigned alongside Morris Mbugua a casual labourer who was recently employed at the couple's matrimonial home in Mang'u, the alleged scene of the crime.

They appeared before Kiambu Resident Magistrate Wilson Rading after spending the weekend in custody. He directed that the suspects be remanded at Muthaiga and Gigiri police stations respectively.

"The suspect will remain in police custody for seven days to enable police to complete the investigations into the murder. She will also be taken for mental assessment," the Kiambu resident magistrate said.

"Since this is a complex matter revolving around a murder case, I do direct that it be mentioned on October 24 for further directions," the Magistrate added.

In an affidavit, the investigating officer Peter Kamau asked the court to detain the two saying the offences both Chania and Mbugua are facing is serious and are likely to attract life sentence if found guilty.

Mr Kamau told the court a team of detectives probing the murder are yet to trace the whereabouts of a longtime casual labourer at the couple's home, identified as John, who is still missing.

He also said detectives are yet to conduct a forensic analysis of the blood stains found on the walls of the deceased's house.

"The deceased's home had prominent features of a primary scene. There were suspected blood stains on the walls, heavily soaked mattress, bed sheets and clothing," he said.

According to Kamau, both Chania and Mbugua were the last persons who interacted with the deceased.

The investigating officer further told the court needed time to conduct a further search in Chania's known and unknown residential homes for more evidence.

"The investigators require more time to subject the suspects to normal police procedures such as DNA sampling," he said.

He said owing to the fact that Chania is a political figure in Kiambu she is likely to interfere with witnesses who have been lined up to testify in the case once the trial begins.

"The first respondent (Chania) is a person of influence within her community after she contested the Kiambu Women Rep's seat. She is likely to intimidate potential witnesses and hinder the recovery of exhibits if she is released before the conclusion of ongoing investigations," Kamau stated.

He further urged the court to take into consideration the huge public interest the issue had generated.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said after the arrest of Chania on Friday that she is believed to have mooted the murder plan after she learnt about her husband's alleged love affair with a secretary at a local school.

Until his death, Mwangi was a contractor based in Rwanda and had arrived in the country on September 13.

The couple had been married for 20 years with three children.

The 58-year-old engineer's body was dumped at Kieni Forest near Kamunyaka village, along the Thika-Magumu highway.

Police said Chania identified Mwangi at the morgue days after she reported him missing at Mwea and Gachege police posts in Gatundu North respectively.

Detectives believe the man was killed elsewhere and dumped near the forest. The body was wrapped in black polythene and stuffed in a bag, from which blood oozed.

In the last General Election, Chania vied unsuccessfully for the Kiambu Woman Representative position on a Jubilee Party ticket.

In 2017, Chania also lost the Woman Rep position to current Githunguri MP, Gathoni Wamuchomba.