Four police officers, two civilians, and the proprietor of the liquor store that served illegal beer that killed seventeen people in Kirinyaga County will all face murder charges.
The bar owner John Muriithi, his brother Anthony Muthee, Lydiah Wanjiru, and police officers Francis Mutethia, Allan Kimanzi, Brian Kariuki, and former Kiamaciri commanding station officer Kennedy Mugambi will be charged with murder in violation of section 203 of the penal code, the court was informed on Thursday by the prosecutor Jane Maari.
The seven were charged before Principal Magistrate Claire Wanyama of Kerugoya, who also ordered Lydiah Wanjiru to be transferred to Embu Women's Prison and the six male suspects to be held at Kerugoya GK prison.
The suspects will undergo a mental evaluation before they are brought before the Kerugoya High Court on March 14, 2024, to enter pleas.
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Four police officers, Francis Mutethia, Brian Kariuki, Allan Kyalo, and Kennedy Mugambi, and two civilians, John Muriithi and Anthony, were charged with four counts related to the same case in a different court (Court 4) in Kerugoya before Principal Magistrate Charity Kipkorir.
They were accused of conspiring to commit a felony, abusing their position in violation of section 101 of the penal code, destroying evidence in violation of section 116 as read with section 36 of the penal code, and stealing from a locked room in violation of section 279 (g) of the penal code.
On March 19, 2024, the accused's bond applications will be heard.
The accused, via their legal representatives, contended in their bond applications that they should be granted bond because they cannot impede investigations.
On February 17, a funeral was held for the 17 individuals who perished at Kangai and Kandongu villages in Mwea-West Sub-County, Kirinyaga County, following their consumption of the lethal liquor.
Investigations revealed that the alcohol drunk by the 17 people and a few others who lost their vision was seized alcohol kept as evidence in the Kiamaciri police station.
According to reports, the deadly mixture was kept at the station before being sold to a community member by four rogue police officers. After that, the four officers were taken into custody and given court dates at the Baricho Law Courts.
