Policeman who burnt two sisters to be held for five days

Saka Achimba, an officer working with the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit (CIPU) in Rongai, Nakuru County in court yesterday. Inset: Ruth Nyabaro speaks from her hospital bed at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.

A policeman accused of dousing two sisters with petrol and setting them ablaze in a case of love gone sour will spend another five days in custody.

Principal Magistrate Bernard Mararo ordered that Saka Achimba be arraigned on January 6, next year.

This came after Galana Bakari, the investigating officer, sought more time to conclude the probe.

Achimba is accused of pouring petrol on Phanice Nyabaro, 27, and Ruth Nyabaro, 17, before setting them ablaze.

The two sisters were later admitted to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital with 18 per cent and eight per cent burns respectively.

Police reports indicate that Achimba went to the kiosk owned by the two sisters at Fire Administration Police Line, and committed the crime.

The investigating officer said the victims' statements could not be recorded as they were in serious condition and unable to verbally express themselves. 

Mr Bakari said they were investigating a case of attempted murder. The suspect is a policeman attached to the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit.

Serious condition

Bakari further asked the court to allow him to hold the suspect for five more days, as the latter had been threatening the victims and could at the same time be a flight risk.

In his objection, Achimba said two minors had been left in his care at his house in Bondeni estate, within the town, and that without him no one would be there to take care of them.

However, the court informed him that the two would be taken care of.

“I hereby order the children's officer to visit the home and check on the status of the children,” Mr Mararo ruled.