Two police officer have been charged with the murder of a woman shot dead at City Park, Nairobi in May.
William Kipkorir Chirchir and Godfrey Kirui Kipng’etich were jointly charged with the murder of Janet Wangui Waiyaki on 20th May at City Park, Parklands area in Nairobi county.
This came as after state prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki informed Justice James Wakiaga that mental assessment report indicated that the two were fit to plead to the charges.
Chirchir and Kipng’etich, administration constables pleaded not guilty to the murder of the 41 year old mother of three.
The two are alleged to have discharged four and eleven bullets respectively on the car that the deceased and 26 year old Bernard Chege were in.
In addition, the two are said to have been on foot patrol on that fateful day. However it is not clear why the they were in patrol in an area outside their jurisdiction, industrial area and Makadara.
They claimed to have knocked on the window of the car but instead of the deceased and her colleague who is her husband’s nephew refused to open the window and instead drove off.
Justice Wakiaga remanded the two at industrial area for eight the application opposing bond the pre bail report.
Mwaniki opposed their release on bail and urged the court to grant her seven days in order to file and serve the defense with a substantive application opposing the same.
However, their lawyer Ham Lagat strongly opposed the prosecutions’ prayer to have his clients detained saying that they are entitled to bail as per the constitution.
“No compelling reasons, affidavits or material has been tendered by Investigating Officer opposing bail. These are just bar statements by the prosecutor,” said Lagat.
He added that his clients are serving police officers and are available to attend court whenever required.
In addition, Langat said the two have been appearing before Gigiri police station for seven times when required.
He had requested that his clients be then remanded at Gigiri police station as the prosecution will suffer no prejudice.
However the prosecution objected saying the two had already been charged and therefore should be held at Industrial area.
The judge directed that the prosecution five days to file and serve their application opposing the release of the two on bail.
Further, he directed the defense to file their response of the same within three days.
Wakiaga also directed that the pre-bail report and victim’s impact statement be tabled in court before 19th June 2018 when the inter-parties hearing will be done.
Justice Wakiaga held the view of the prosecution that the accused persons be held at Industrial area.
The case will be heard 20, 21, 22 November.
The deceased and her male companion were rashes to avenue hospital but was announced dead on arrival while Chege was admitted with several gunshot wounds.
Social media went crazy after it was alleged that the two had had an affair.
In an interview with the nation, husband of the deceased, he said that the had asked the family members to intervene as he suspected the two had an affair.
