Kevin Owen Otere was arrested on September 27 and booked at Pangani Police Station for the suspicion of causing the death of Ian Maina Wambui contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the penal code.
According to investigating officer Paul Nyoro, Otere is suspected to have stolen the mobile phone of his friend Maina.
“Maina had approached Otere and pleaded with him to return his mobile phone which he is suspected to have stolen from him the previous day,” the officer said.
As a result, a misunderstanding ensued leading to a fight between them. Members of the public intervened and rescued Maina who had been severely beaten.
“When the suspect saw members of the public coming to rescue Maina, he ran away leaving him fighting for his life,” reads the affidavit in part.
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Shortly after, Maina became unconscious and was rushed to MSF Hospital for treatment but his condition deteriorated, prompting medics to refer him to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival
A day after the incident, the suspect was spotted at Mlango Kubwa. Residents who knew that Maina had succumbed to his injuries attacked Otere, before he was rescued by the police who took him to MSF hospital where he was treated and discharged.
When he was presented before Makadara Senior Resident Magistrate Jane Mbati, Otere had stitches on the forehead and his eyes were swollen.
When he was asked by the court to explain the circumstances leading to Maina’s death and his arrest, he explained that he was attacked by a mob. “Ian attacked me with two of his friends at night. When I asked him why he had set me up, he started a fight. I fought him back until we were separated by the son of the owner of the bar and others.”
The suspect told the court that he left the scene of the fight when Maina was alive and he had no idea what killed him. The police were granted orders to detain the suspect for 14 days.