Four in court for Kitui youth leader's murder

From right: Joshua Mutunga, a nurse at Kitui Level Five Referral Hospital, Kitumbi Munyoki, Mutua Muasya and Koki Kimanzi when they were arraigned. [Paul Mutua, Standard]

A nurse at the Kitui Level Five Referral Hospital and three other suspects yesterday appeared in court in connection with the killing of a youth leader last April.

The four were, however, not required to take plea for the killing of Benjamin Muema Kinyali, whose partly burnt body was found in a thicket near Kavou stream in Kwa Vonza, 25km from Kitui town.

Kinyali was a National Youth Council official in Kitui Rural Constituency. He was also a businessman with interests in real estate and road construction.

Go to Mathari

Deputy Registrar Rose Ombata ordered Joshua Mutunga, a nurse, as well as Kitumbi Munyoki, Mutua Muasya and Koki Kimanzi to be taken to Mathari Hospital for mental assessment.

Ms Ombata further ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Kitui GK Prison until June 20, when they will be formally charged.

State Counsel Bonny Okemwa told the court police had completed investigations into the killing and were ready to prosecute the matter conclusively.

Mr Okemwa said police had earlier applied for time to probe the matter.

But lawyers Japheth Mwalimu and Nzilu Nzioka, representing the suspects, argued that the matter had attracted a huge public interest and should be concluded as quickly as possible.

Police released Kinyali’s wife, Salome Kathini Wambua, who they had arrested soon after the killing.

She is out on a Sh500,000 bond after Kitui Principal Magistrate Johnstone Munguti declined a police plea to have her detained further at the Itoleka Police Station.