Taxi driver remanded for 21 days over fatal stabbing near Nyayo Stadium

A taxi driver accused of fatally stabbing a man near Nyayo Stadium after a road altercation will remain in custody for 21 days pending further investigations.

Emmanuel Githua Kiburi was arrested yesterday, four days after the incident. Police said he had been on the run.

According to investigators, 30-year-old Kennedy N’geno had travelled from Roret in Kericho County to meet friends and relatives in Uthiru on August 1. He was later heading to his residence in Pipeline with companions when the confrontation occurred.

Police stated that near the Shell petrol station along Mombasa Road B, close to the Lusaka Road roundabout, a black Toyota Passo driven by the suspect collided with the vehicle carrying Ngeno.

Both drivers stopped to assess the damage. An argument followed. The suspect, who had begun recording the incident on his phone, returned to his car when challenged about filming. He then allegedly produced a knife and stabbed N’geno in the stomach severally until  he collapsed at the scene.

Inspector Ogutu told the court that the enraged suspect then turned on another occupant, Ian Kiptoo, and stabbed him before fleeing in a motor vehicle whose registration number was recorded.

N’geno and Kiptoo were rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital but unfortunately, N’geno was pronounced dead on arrival. Kiptoo was admitted and remains under treatment fighting for his life.

N’geno’s body was transferred to the hospital's mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

During court appearance, defence counsel opposed the 21-day detention order arguing that the 31 witnesses mentioned by Inspector Ogutu did not appear on any formal list and that claims the post-mortem had not been conducted were inaccurate, as it had already taken place the previous day.

The defence further stated that Kiburi had presented himself at Industrial Area Police Station after learning that police were looking for him in connection with the murder.

Prosecuting counsel Erick Kyalo informed the court that footage circulating of the incident provided reasonable grounds to believe the suspect had attacked the deceased.

He submitted that continued detention was necessary to allow investigators to analyse the evidence, including conducting an identification parade.

Investigations have already led to the tracing of the vehicle’s owner, who assisted in the arrest of the suspect.

Senior Principal Magistrate Renee Kitagwa ruled that it was prudent to remand the suspect in custody pending completion of investigations.