Nakuru Hodi-Hodi brew case pushed to November

 Former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya addresses residents of JC and Hodi Hodi area in Bahati, Nakuru County on  August 1,2, 2021 where 10 people died after consuming dangerous hooch. [Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard]

A case in which three suspects are accused of selling illicit brew that killed 10 people has been pushed to November 14, this year.

Justice Hillary Chemitei deferred the case since three survivors had gone blind and needed time to prepare for the hearing.

The judge also heard that the defence lawyer had not been supplied with all documentation.

Annastacia Njeri, Josphat Mwaniki and Albert Macharia are accused of selling the illicit brew that killed the 10 on August 10, 2021, at Hodi Hodi in Bahati Sub County, Nakuru County.

The High Court in Nakuru heard that the three survivors are key witnesses in the murder.

Despite Justice Chemitei noting that the hearing had been delayed since August, he allowed the postponement of the hearing.

“The court notes that the case has been delayed. However, due to the complexity of the case, I will allow the matter to be taken out of the cause list,” directed Chemitei.

Njeri, Mwaniki, and Macharia have pleaded not guilty to 10 murder charges.

The charge sheet states that the three are suspected of selling the killer brew. Two other suspects are at large.

They are accused of killing Nahashon Mwangi and Joyce Wanjiku on August 9, 2021, jointly with others not before the court.

They are also accused of causing the death of Francis Kiburi, Stephen Maina, George Ndichu, Sammy Wachira, James Wachira, Eunice Nyambura, Godfrey Ng’ang’a and Paul Gachoka on August 10, 2021.

Macharia was arrested on October 18, 2021, at Kwa Amos in Nakuru North while Mwaniki was arrested on October 16, 2021. Njeri was arrested on August 18, 2021, in Sachangwan.

They are currently out on a surety bond of Sh1 million.