Suspect in the murder of a Nyeri Activist Detained for 14 days

The late Nyeri activist Joan Muthoni. /EUTYCAS MUCHIRINyeri chief magistrate Wendy Kagendo on Friday detained the key suspect in the Nyeri activist Joan Muthoni’s murder after he appeared in court.

The suspect will have to remain in police custody for ten days to allow the police complete investigations.

Geoffrey Gathenya, a hawker in Nyeri town is accused of stubbing the activist to death.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) asked for 14 days to investigate the murder.

Muthoni was stabbed several times on the thigh and is believed to have died of excessive bleeding.

Henry Kyalo of the DCI told the court that they believe Gathenya stabbed the activist on the night of October 24 at their home in Pembe Tatu estate.

Police said the two must have been embroiled in a domestic row sparked by a love triangle involving a businessman in Nyeri town.

“The suspect is living with a disability. We are yet to record witness statements. The suspect should also been taken to hospital for a psychiatric test.”

Kyalo, who sought 14 days, says in the application: “A postmortem on the deceased’s body is yet to be conducted.”

The magistrate also directed the detective to ensure the suspect’s rights are observed since he has special needs.

Kagendo directed that Gathenya is remanded at Nyeri Central police station up to November 6 when the case will be mentioned.

Cases of murder have been on the high rise in the country for the past three consecutive months.

In the past one mother, a Pregnant Rongo University student Sharon Otieno was found in Kodera forest stubbed to death and dumped after an alleged abduction alongside a Nation Media group journalist Barack Oduor.

The suspects in the murder case are Migori governor Okoth Obado and his two aides Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero who have hence been charged with murder.

The same month of September another business woman Monica Nyawera Kimani was found murdered and her throat slit in a bathtub at her residential house in Lumuria apartments in Kilimani.

The suspects, Joseph Irungu alias Jowie and Citizen Tv journalist Jacque Maribe have hence been arrested and charged, and are currently still under police custody pending bail ruling.

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