A Kiambu court has set free Brian Kassaine who had been in custody for 10 days as a suspect over the murder of Monica Kimani. He has been ordered to report to the DCI every Thursday for the next 2 months. The two other suspects, Joseph Irungu and his fiancee Jacque Maribe are expected to take their plea next week on Monday.
Brian Kassaine had been held at Lang’ata Police Station, Kiambu Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku had earlier ordered.
Kassaine, police believe has crucial information that could help the case. He was arrested on Saturday after detectives recovered the pistol that the prime suspect Joe Irungu aka Jowie is said to have used to shoot himself on the night he is said to have killed Ms Kimani.
As reported by the standard,
On interrogation, Kassaine convinced the prosecution to turn him into a witness in the case. It is believed that from the time Kassaine was brought to court on October 1, police have obtained crucial information about the killing from him.
In his statement, Kassaine told police that on September 20, Irungu approached him in his house and requested for paraffin to help him burn some items that were disturbing him. According to police, Maribe knew about Irungu’s mission in Kassaine’s house. Kassaine is said to have told Irungu he did not have any paraffin.
He told police he later learnt that the suspect used cans of air freshener to burn the clothes within the couple’s compound. In their affidavit, detectives said key exhibits in the case, which included a kanzu and a jacket were partly burnt at Maribe’s compound. Investigations revealed that on the day Monica was murdered, Maribe and Irungu were together. Further, reports indicate that on September 21, at about 1 am, Irungu woke Kassaine up in his house and asked him to go collect a gun.
Kassaine then collected the pistol with 28 bullets and one spent cartridge on the floor adjacent to the master bedroom on the upper floor of the house. Irungu is said to have told Kassaine about an argument with Maribe that prompted the attempted suicide. Kassaine, his wife and Maribe took Irungu to three different hospitals.
On September 21 at about 7 pm, they recorded a statement at Lang’ata police station claiming Irungu had been shot by three gunmen on a motorbike. But Kassaine changed his statement and explained the events of the two nights.
His case was heard today by a Kiambu principal magistrate Justus Kituku which led to his release under the earlier stated conditions.