AP officer accused of killing girlfriend arraigned in court

AP, Patrick Oita Nyapara when he appeared before Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng on March 18, 2019. [Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]

 

An Administration Police (AP) Officer who killed his girlfriend was on Monday arraigned at a Kakamega court.

 

Patrick Nyapara is said to have shot Christine Maonga, 26, several times on March 14 at Navakholo Township, Kakamega North District.

The AP did not take a plea after the investigating officer, Chief Inspector Leonard Kurgat, asked for more time to conclude the investigations.

In a sworn affidavit, Mr. Kurgat who is attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) told the court that he was yet to forward the Czeska Pistol suspected to have been used to execute the offense for ballistic examinations in Nairobi.

The suspect was arrested on March 16 at Nambale sub-county in Busia while trying to flee to Uganda for a hideout.

Ms. Maonga, a teacher at Navakholo Secondary School, is said to have had marital differences with the suspect whom they have been together for over two years. The two have a child aged three.

The suspect, who had been deployed to man the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices, is said to have fired over seven bullets to the deceased using the firearm assigned to him.

Christine Maonga (Left ) was shot dead by Patrick Nyapara (Right) in Navakholo, Kakamega County. [photo courtesy]

Security at the courts was beefed up, with a contingent of anti-riot officers in full gear anticipating more riots with the AP arraigning.

State Prosecutor Lydiah Ombega told the court that the investigators needed time to conduct a mandatory mental assessment test for the suspect as well as an autopsy for the deceased.

Nyapara, who didn't want his face to be seen, was forced to comply when Chief magistrate ordered police to unveil him [ By Benjamin Sakwa]

“I am yet to conduct a post mortem for the deceased to ascertain the degree of injuries and the extent of injury inflicted to the deceased. I am also yet to avail the suspect to a psychiatric for a mental assessment test,” said the investigator.

Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng’ ordered that the suspect be detained at Kakamega Police Station for seven days.

“I find that the application has merit. The suspect herein shall remain at Kakamega Police Station for seven days to enable the investigating officer to conclude his work,” said Mr. Ochieng’.

The matter will be mentioned on March 25 for further directions.