Dad denies murdering son after marrying son's ex-wife
A prominent Nyeri businessman, Stephen Wang'ondu, on Tuesday denied charges of murdering his son.
He was charged alongside alleged accomplices James Mahinda, Eddy Kariuki, Raphael Wachira and Geoffrey Warutumo. They also denied the charges.
The four were allegedly paid Sh160,000, with a Sh20,000 down payment.
Also charged was his dead son's wife, Charity Nyawira. She was released and told to report to police every two weeks for a month. She denied involvement.
The five men are accused of together murdering Daniel Mwangi, 32, on New Year's Day in Nyeri county outside his house.
Court documents indicate the businessman is alleged to have hired killers to murder his son after they argued over Charity. She and his son had separated but his father took her in, married her and set up a business for her.
Image: EUTYCAS MUCHIRI
They took pleas after the prosecution said they underwent psychiatric exams and were found fit to stand trial. The examination was at Kenyatta National Hospital, Othaya annex.
Prosecutor Duncan Ondimu said the state was not ready to proceed with the bail application as the state plans to file an affidavit objecting to bail for all five.
Ondimu said they were unable to file the affidavit earlier, citing time constraints in the investigations. He asked for two days.
“We praying for another date so be given time to file this affidavit detailing the compelling reasons" to deny bail, he said.
Ondimu requested the court to detain the suspects in different remands due to security concerns and the risks involving one of the suspects.
“The investigating officers had expressed concerns during the period of the detention, details which we would not wish to go into. The matter is being investigated,” he said.
He requested that Wang’ondu be detained at King’ong’o prison, Mahinda at Embu, Kariuki and Wachira at Kiruguya prison while Warutumo would be detained at Mwea prison. BY THE STAR
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