Velji Jayaben Jayeshikumar, the widow of Indian businessman Jayesh Kumar, will be detained by police for 14 days after her apprehension and arraignment at the Kibera Law Courts.
Jayaben was taken into custody on Wednesday, following an investigation that found her speaking with one of the four other suspects being held by the police on the day her husband was killed and his corpse doused in acid.
It's thought the couple had issues at home before Jayaben asked a friend to help her reprimand her husband.
Jayaben made an appearance before Magistrate Irene Kahuya following an investigation that suggested she may have participated in the murderous scheme against her husband, who was killed on Valentine's Day in Lukenya, Machakos County, and had his corpse doused in acid.
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However, she was not charged when the prosecution asked to detain her for 21 days while detectives conducted their investigation.
Ifran Kassam, Jayaben's attorney, opposed the application on behalf of her client. Kassam asked the court to give the prosecution only seven days to hold Jayaben, citing her dependents her son and mother-in-law—and the fact that she does not pose a flight risk because the police have her passport.
The prosecution was given 14 days by the court to place her under police custody.
“Jayaben is alleged to have been involved in the murder plot after phone analysis revealed that she was in contact with one of the four suspects who were arrested and arraigned at Kibera Law Courts on February 19th,” said Magistrate Kahuya.
“She is reported to have asked the suspect to help discipline and torture her husband as the two had disagreements ... The other suspect agreed and recruited others to execute the plan.”
It is thought that Jayaben called the alleged killers to carry out the mission after being seen on CCTV on Valentine's Day walking with her husband and son at around seven in the morning.
Three hours later, the other suspect is said to have texted her to let her know they had completed the task. The fact that the husband had been killed even though the only goal was to beat and warn him troubled her, though.
Police are yet to conduct DNA tests on the bones that were recovered from the scene of crime believed to be those of Kumar.
Before charging any of the five suspects, they also wish to verify the immigration status of the two Indian nationals who are among the suspects.
