Did military officer kill Form One nephew over 4kgs of maize?

Julius Bushuru (LEFT) and his domestic worker Isaac Wamalwa.

Former military officer has pleaded not guilty to killing his nephew, a Form One student over 4kg of maize flour, a mobile phone, a radio and a shirt.
Julius Bushuru, together with his domestic worker, are facing murder charges after being linked to killing Griffin Chimasia in Mukango village in Lurambi Sub-county, Kakamega County on September 14.

Hesbond Chimasia, a brother to the deceased, recalled that on the material day, he was at home when his daughter informed him that some people were beating Griffin at a nearby home. Upon reaching there, his uncle Bushuru and his domestic worker had tied up Griffin's hands from behind and were beating him up in turns. Bushuru was using an iron rod while his worker was using a wooden stick.

Hesbond, a boda boda rider says he overheard Bushuru claiming that the Form One student at Mwiyala Secondary, had stolen a mobile phone, 4kgs of maize flour and a shirt from his house.

"I begged Bushuru to stop beating my brother and release him. A small crowd had started gathering and they shouted at them to stop the act," said Hesbond.
"When they realised that the crowd was getting charged Bushuru ordered his worker to untie Griffin before they ran away.

The following day, Hesbond was shocked to learn that Bushuru, together with his worker had captured Griffin again and were beating him up again.
"My brother told me that our uncle had captured Griffin and was beating him again. When I arrived at his home, I found them at the same place where they were beating him the previous day."

Pain in his entire body

He says that when Griffin saw him, he begged to be taken to a hospital.

"He said he was feeling pain in his entire body and asked to be taken to hospital for an injection."

Suddenly, Griffin stopped breathing. Another witness testified that he found Bushuru beating up the boy and on interrogation, Bushuru claimed he was disciplining him for stealing from him. They beat him up until he became unconscious, before he was pronounced dead.

Bushuru is said to have surrendered to Kakamega Police Station on the same day and was arraigned in court to face murder charges.
Appearing before Kakamega High Court Justice Patrick Otieno, Bushuru denied killing Griffin and urged the court to grant him bond, a request which was denied by the prosecution officer.

Griffin was buried earlier this week in a ceremony presided over by the elders. The church was excluded.