A Kiambu court has granted police 14 days to detain Lawrence Warunge and Sarah Muthoni, the two suspects at the centre of gruesome murders in Karura, Kiambaa, Kiambu County.
Police Inspector Peter Kamau of the homicide division at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) warned the court of the dangers of releasing the two before investigations were completed.
“Your honour, these investigations are complex, we are moving from one place to another in a bid to piece up evidence and document the same owing to the number of victims involved,” Kamau told the court.
Kamau further said the lives of the two suspects are in danger as the murders have caused a lot of apprehension among neighbours and members of the public.
“The two younger siblings of Lawrence would be put in danger if he was to be released. It is only safe that he remains in custody if we are to preserve the lives of the young children,” Kamau pleaded.
The investigating officer told the court they were waiting for postmortem results to be documented as they are critical in charging the suspects.
“Further to this your honour, we would want to have the two suspects undergo a mental assessment to ascertain their suitability to stand trial,” Kamau said.
Having gone into hiding after the murders, the officer reminded the court that Warunge posed a flight risk if released.
“We had to trail him from his hideout in Ruaka. He subsequently took us to the home of the second suspect in Thika where we apprehended her; such is the character of Mr Warunge,” Kamau added.
The investigating officer added that the homicide unit was in the process of conducting DNA tests on the suspects as they endeavour to recover more exhibits to build up the case.
He said they needed time to piece up the evidence retrieved in Jikaze area of Mai Mahiu where the suspected murder weapon was recovered.
Kabete hideout
In her ruling, Kiambu Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi said the court was convinced of the need to allow 14 more days for the investigations to conclude.
“I have listened to the investigating officer and I am convinced that owing to the gravity of the matter, the officer needs substantial time to get to the bottom of the matter,” Gichohi said.
The two suspects didn’t oppose the court’s decision. They will be remanded at Muthaiga and Gigiri police stations.
Police stated that they had identified Warunge as the prime suspect after he went missing on Tuesday, January 5. He was later arrested at his hideout in Lower Kabete, Kiambu County.
