Court frees Kianjokoma six officers on bail

Kianjokoma six

The six police officers accused of killing two Embu brothers. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

A Nairobi court on Thursday freed the six police officers accused of killing two brothers in Kianjokoma, Embu County.

The officers were granted Sh300,000 cash bail each or alternative Sh3 million bond. 

The six are Inspector Benson Mbuthia, Corporal Consolata Kariuki, Nicholas Cheruyoi and Police Constables Martin Wanyama, Lilian Chemuna and James Mwaniki.

The judge ordered the suspects not to visit Kianjakoma area without the court's permission. 

Except for Inspector Mbuthia, a resident of Meru County who was allowed to transit through Embu County, all the others are barred from Kianjakoma "unless with express court permission."

Court frees Kianjokoma six officers on bail

The accused, who have denied murdering brothers Benson Njiru and Emmanuel Muturi, are also required to avail addresses of the places they will be residing in.

In a lengthy ruling, Justice Daniel Ogembo allowed the bail plea by lawyer Danstan Omari saying “the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has not presented compelling reasons to warrant the court to deny the accused bond.”

Dismissing the objection by the DPP and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) through its President Nelson Havi, the judge said no evidence of interference of witnesses was availed.

In their arguments, the six officers who have since been interdicted, maintain that the two brothers jumped out of a speeding police van.

“The two brothers died as a result of the heavy fall on the tarmac road when they jumped from the mobile police van,” argued Mr Omari. 

Justice Ogembo directed the accused to appear before the presiding judge for fixing of hearing dates on November 11, 2021.

Masten Wanjala case

Meanwhile, a court trying three police officers charged with aiding the self-confessed serial killer Masten Wanjala, heard that the DPP is yet to supply witness statements.

Mr Omari, who is defending the trio namely Inspector Philip Mbithi, and Constable Kamakia Mutuma Boniface and Constable Precious Mwende Mwinzi. told senior principal magistrate Bernard Ochoi he has not been supplied with witness statements.

The three denied assisting Wanjala to escape from Jogoo Road police station in October.

The case will be mentioned on November 11, 2021 for further directions.