Gladys Chania to know fate of bail request

Gladys Chania. She is being held over the death of her husband George Mwangi. [Fidelis Kabunyi, Standard]

Kiambu politician Gladys Chania, who is being held over the death of her husband George Mwangi, will know the fate of her bail application.

Justice Mary Kasango Tuesday directed that she will rule on Chania's request to be released on bail after spending over one month in custody.

Chania's defence team had asked the court to release her on bond pending hearing and determination of the case in which she has denied taking part in the murder of her husband of 28 years.

Chania, alongside farmhand Morris Mbugua, were on November 2 charged with jointly murdering the contractor. The two have denied the charges.

Mwangi's charred body was found dumped in Kieni Forest. The prosecution told the court that the accused planned and executed the macabre murder.

The prosecutor on November 2 also asked the court not to release the suspects on bail, saying they were likely to interfere with witnesses.

Chania's lawyer Wandugi Kirathe Tuesday rejected the prosecution's assertions that the suspects would flee if released on bail.

"The accused person is a public figure being a politician. She is not a flight risk as alleged and is willing to abide by any condition imposed by the court," said Mr Kirathe.

The lawyer said it is the accused person's right to be granted bail pending hearing of the case.

Kirathe said Mbugua has a family that depends on him as the breadwinner and they continue to suffer while he is in custody.

Chania is currently in remand at the Lang'ata Women's Prison while Mbugua is being held at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

The suspects had been released on a Sh1 million cash bail and a surety of a similar amount but they failed to raise the amount.

A post-mortem conducted by Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor established that late Mwangi died after being hit with a blunt object at the back of his head. His body also bore cuts on his hands, which was an indication that he had fruitlessly tried struggle with his killers.

Chania unsuccessfully contested for the Kiambu Woman Representative seat during the August General Election.