Nurse accused of killing her two children demands hearing of case

A Kakamega-based nurse accused of killing her two children has demanded that her case be given priority.

Ms Pherine Maero, who appeared before Lady Justice Chirchir Chebet, argued that the matter had taken too long as the court had kept postponing the hearing.

"The case has taken almost a year with the hearing being postponed every now and then. This is making my life in custody even more difficult," she said.

“This matter was supposed to be heard in July last year. However, up to now, it has not come up for hearing. My case is among others that need to be given priority,” said the accused.

Pherine, who was visibly angry, sought to have her case heard as soon as possible. “I request the prosecution to bring in the witnesses needed to testify in my case so I can know my fate."

She also requested the presiding judge to grant her bond so she could attend the court as a free citizen.

“I also ask this honourable court to grant me bail. I have a right to bond," the suspect said.

The prosecution, however, opposed her arguments saying the accused was a flight risk. According to the prosecution, Pherine had been denied bond on two occasions by the trial judge, William Musyoka.

“The witnesses are yet to testify, and most of them are close to her (accused). Admitting her to bond terms will jeopardise the evidence," said Ms Loice Nyaboke Osoro, the prosecutor.

“She should move to the court of appeal to decide on whether to grant her bond," said Osoro.

Lady Justice Chebet declined to revisit the issue of bond and advised the accused to raise the matter at the Court of Appeal.

Pherine was not only denied bond but suffered another blow after her lawyer recused himself from the matter.

She asked the presiding judge to help her find a pro-bono advocate as soon as possible for her matter to be given priority in the court diary.

Justice Chebet accepted the accused person’s prayer and directed the matter to be mentioned before the deputy registrar on October 25 for the allocation of a new pro-bono advocate.

She also said that after getting the new advocate, she would look into the submissions of Pherine in the appeal.

“The matter will come up for hearing on December 14 and mention on October 25," said Chebet.