Two Marimba Sacco touts accused of beating a motorist to death in Zimmerman on Christmas Eve have been charged with murder.
George Irungu Maina and Ian Mbugua faced the charges after the killing of one Joseph Ng’ethe Kiarie on December 24 after a dispute with another matatu crew whose vehicle was involved in a minor accident with his.
However, the two did not plead to the charge since they did not have a lawyer when they appeared before judge Jessie Lesiit.
The judge directed they be brought back to court on January 24 when they will be assigned a state lawyer to defend them.
Kiarie, a former Maseno University Student leader, died at the Neema Uhai Hospital after he was attacked by touts and drivers of Zuri Sacco and Marimba Sacco.
It is alleged that 33year old was driving out of a car wash in Zimmerman when his car was grazed by a matatu.
Kiarie and the matatu crew are said to have differed over cash payment for the incident after which the touts and drivers attacked him.
It is said the deceased was outnumbered by crews of the saccos when he tried to demand compensation for the damage caused to his vehicle.
After the incident, NTSA suspended the operator’s license of Marimba Investment Sacco whose matatu crew are the ones who allegedly beat Kiarie to death.
NTSA Director General Francis Meja said the suspension would be lifted only after the Sacco fulfils four conditions issued by the authority.
They included cooperation with the police in investigations that will lead to the apprehension of the crew involved.
He said the Sacco should also present certificates of good conduct for all its drivers and conductors obtained from the date of the suspension and undertake an awareness workshop which would be conducted by NTSA.
Meja also directed Marimba Sacco to convene a meeting between its members (matatu owners) and the authority.
The suspension has so far been lifted after the arrest of the two
