Major Mugure denied bail in murder case

A former Kenya Air Force soldier accused of killing three people has been denied bail.

Major Peter Mugure (pictured) is accused of killing his estranged wife and two children on October 26, 2019.

The bodies of 31-year-old Joyce Syombua, Shanice Maua (10) and Prince Michael (5) were recovered in a shallow grave at Kilimo in Thingithu Estate, Laikipia County on November 16.

Justice Jairus Ngaa, sitting at the High Court in Nyeri, said if the accused is released on bail he may interfere with witnesses.

Major Mugure and his co-accused Collins Pamba were arrested on November 15 and 16, 2019, respectively.

Mugure was arrested after a taxi driver recorded a statement at Nanyuki Police Station revealing the soldier had asked him to get him three gunny bags and help him ferry “some luggage” but he declined.

The two are being detained at the Kerugoya GK Prison.

Mugure's lawyers appealed for bail, saying it is his right, and that secondly, he has a family that needs his attention.

The judge was not convinced.

Lead prosecutor Peter Mailanyi said Mugure's release may jeopardise the case, seeing as he held a powerful position in the Air Force.

The case, which has 26 witnesses lined up, will be heard on March 23.

Some of the witnesses expected, according to the prosecution, are Mugure's juniors.

Pamba's statement read in court outlined how he witnessed the burying of the three bodies in Thingitu.

He was allegedly called to the Laikipia Air Base, asked to present his academic certificates and promised a military job on October 28, 2019, for allegedly aiding the crime.

Detectives investigating the murders said the witness, in a statement to the police, said he was promised the job if he cooperated.

A postmortem revealed that Syombua was hit on the head with a blunt object causing bleeding in the brain while her two children were strangled with a rope.