Kisii Court issues warrant of arrest against pastor accused of killing wife

Former SDA Pastor Joel Mogaka who is accused of killing his Irene Nyambusi Nyakwara. [Eric Abuga, Standard]

A Kisii based court has issued a warrant of arrest against an SDA Pastor, Joel Mogaka, who is accused of killing his wife in January 2021.

High Court Judge Justice Rose Ougo issued the orders after the pastor failed to turn up in court on Friday as earlier directed.

Mogaka is accused of allegedly killing his wife, Irene Nyambusi Nyakwara, a secondary school teacher, on January 14, 2021 at Omosasa sub location, Gucha sub county Kisii.

The suspect in his submissions had told the court that his wife died by suicide after she took poison.

He was released a Sh500,000 bond and the case was set for judgement when his lawyer informed the court that the accused was sick in a medical report that was presented in court.

On Thursday, a medical officer from Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, appeared before the court to explain the report.

The judge however directed that the doctor who attended to the suspect last appears in court in person.

On Friday morning, the accused lawyer, Polycarp Maroko opted out of the case after his client failed to comply with court summons.

Justice Ougo directed that the accused appear in person in court in the afternoon but the pastor didn't show up forcing the court to issue the warrant of arrest orders to DCI officers at Ogembo police station.

The arrest orders were also issued against Mogaka's mother, Margaret Mogaka, who had stood as a surety for him.

Should he be arrested before August 14, the accused will then appear before the duty Judge, the same day the matter will be mentioned.