Serial killer Onyancha case a mistrial, Judge rules

The High Court in Nairobi has declared a mistrial in the case against alleged “man-eater” Philip Onyancha.

In the ruling, Justice James Wakiaga, further ordered a fresh trial in the case where Onyancha had been charged with the three murder counts.

The 38-year-old allegedly confessed to killing 19 women and children, but however denies three murder charges preferred against him by the DPP.

He was charged alongside Tobias Nyabuhanga Aradi and Douglas Obiero Makori.

The trio however denied that  in killing 14-year-old Anthony Njirwa Muiruri on April 14, 2014 and  Jacqueline Chepngetich on May 30, 2008.

Earlier on, the court had ruled that he was mentally ill at the time he was committing the crime but was put on defence in error.

The judge found Onyancha had a case to answer after witness accounts from 13 people, among them two doctors.

“I am satisfied that the Prosecution has proved a case against Onyancha beyond reasonable doubt to enable me put him on his defence,” the judge ruled at the time.

Onyancha was arrested in 2010 after confessing to killing over 17 people.