Court allows police to detain 70-year-old murder suspect

A Nakuru court has allowed police officers to detain a 70-year-old murder suspect for three days.

Nakuru Senior Resident Magistrate Yvonne Khatambi on Wednesday allowed the detention of Mary Nyagothie following an application by the investigating officer to continue detaining her.

Inspector of Police Moses Onyapindi in a miscellaneous application filed in court said he is yet to conclude investigating the matter and recording witness statements. He also applied to have the old woman escorted to hospital for mental assessment.

The 70-year-old allegedly killed 30-year-old Loise Njoki at Kanorero village in Gilgil Nakuru County on May 8, 2018 under unclear circumstances.

Nyaguthie is said to have hit Njoki with a hammer on the neck. The deceased had gone to fetch water from the suspect’s water tank as has been the norm with many villagers in the neighborhood.

“The woman has been assisting us and the people around her with clean water from her tank. She allowed the deceased to fetch water as usual before she descended on her with a hammer,” said John Ngige, the deceased’s father-in-law.

The mother of two died on the spot after which dozens of residents flocked the home and called in the police who arrested the suspect taking her to Elementaita Police Station. The body of the deceased was taken to Nakuru County mortuary.

Mr Ngige added that they have been left in shock seeing that there was no dispute between the suspect and the deceased or their families when the incident happened.

“This was not expected at all. We have been living in peace with the family and she has been kind in assisting us and other people with clean drinking water. We are yet to figure out what led to the attack,” said Mr Ngige.

According to a section of the residents, the suspect might be senile considering her age and the sudden reaction.

“Application by the investigating officer duly considered, nature of the offence being investigated duly noted. The application has merit on the said premise, I allow the application, suspect to be held at Elementaita Police Station,” ruled the magistrate.

The suspect will be arraigned in court on Friday May 11, 2018 for a mention of the case.