Stephen Kinini who allegedly hired hitmen to kill his son remanded

Stephen Kinini who allegedly hired hitmen to kill his son remanded

Nyeri businessman Stephen Kinini will be remanded for seven days after he denied the charge of murdering his son.

Kinini was arraigned alongside his co-accused James Mahinda Mwangi; Eddy Kariuki Ngari; Raphael Wachira Kariuki and Geoffrey Warutumo Waturi.

“One of the suspects, Charity Nyawira Muchiri, was released as there was no evidence linking her to the offense of murder,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said on Twitter.

On Tuesday, the five accused appeared before Lady Justice Florence Muchemi for plea taking.

They all pleaded not guilty and the court directed that they remain in police custody until investigations are complete.

Hearing for bail application was set for March 9, 2021.

“In making the decision to charge, the prosecution applied the evidentiary test, where they reviewed the evidence and found it sufficient with a good prospect of conviction against the 5 suspects,” the ODPP added.

The body of Daniel Mwangi Wang’ondu was found in a pool of blood at his gate in Wendiga village on January 1, 2021.

“..nothing had been stolen from him or his house, not even his Volkswagen Golf car beside which he lay lifeless,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.

The deceased was businessman at Mweiga town in Nyeri.

On February 20, the first suspect James Mahinda Mwangi (driver to the deceased’s father) was traced to Nairobi’s Githurai area and arrested.

“Upon interrogation, he led officers to Embu at Matakani area where two other suspects Geoffrey Waturi and Eddy Kariuki Ngari were also arrested and the trio escorted to the RCIO’s offices in Nyeri,” the DCI added.

Detectives established that the three long-time friends had been hired by the deceased’s father Stephen Wang’ondu Kinini on December 2020 to murder his son at a Ksh. 160,000 fee following a family feud.

Mr Wang’ondu is alleged to have given his driver (Mahinda) a facilitation fee of Ksh. 20,000, instructing him to form a team that would execute his son.

Mahinda apparently proceeded to Embu on December 31 where he picked his accomplices briefing them on their target, his residence, movements and the car he drove in.

“Once in Mweiga, they had purchased a murder weapon at a local hardware,” the DCI said.

The four, alongside one Charity Muchiri (who is believed to have been involved in the murder plan) were arraigned at Nyeri Law Courts on February 22 on a miscellaneous application for more days to complete the investigations.

Report by Theuri Mbogo and Martin Munene

 

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murder Stephen Kinini

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