Murang’a,

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

K.N.A

By Bernard Munyao/Ian Muchiri

A Murang’a court on Monday granted the prosecution 20 days to complete investigations of a murder case where two people are accused of killing two old women suspected to be witches.

Senior Resident Magistrate, Eric Musambai allowed the prosecution to hold Robert Wainaina and Kelvin Mwangi in custody till March 28, when their case will be mentioned.

The two are accused of being the masterminds of the killing of Jane Wambui Mwangi, 75, and Mary Njoki Mwangi, 64, at Kahuro area of Murang’a county on February 22.

The two womens who were killed and their bodies set on fire, were suspected by villagers of being witches and behind misfortunes happening in the locality.

In the application, the prosecution told the court, the accused who were arrested on March 19 and were arraigned in court as per the law but investigations were yet complete.

The prosecution argued the 20 days will provide time to trace key witnesses and record their statements at the local police station. “Photographs of the crime scene, taken by police are yet to be processed in the laboratory,” indicated part of the prosecution’s application.

The court heard that the investigation officers had not finalized collecting evidence of the case and the additional time would help in completing the process before the two take plea on murder charges.

The prosecution also requested the court order the two accused to be taken to Murang’a Level-5 hospital for psychiatric assessment.

The medical report would be used by the investigators to determine whether the accused were in their normal mental state and also help establish the motive behind the crime.

The magistrate ordered the accused to be held in Murang’a Police station remand to allow completion of investigations.

Courtesy K.N.A