UN staffer charged with grievous assault

A legal officer attached to the United Nations (UN) was on Thursday charged with grievous assault and causing bodily harm to his wife.

Mr Alphonse Kambu, appeared before Milimani Court Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo who heard from the prosecution that Kambu does not enjoy any immunity from UN as it was earlier alleged.

“We enquired from United Nations (UN) who confirmed that the accused does not enjoy any immunity,” said the prosecution.

This arose when his lawyer requested to defer plea taking basing the argument on immunity by his (Kambu’s) employer.

The magistrate, however, allowed the accused time to deliberate on the facts of the case with his lawyer who had received instructions to represent the accused a few hours to plea.

Kambu, who is charged with grievous assault causing severe bodily harm to his wife, denied the charges.

The court will make a ruling on Monday as to whether the accused will be released on bond or on bail terms.

The prosecution expressed fear that the accused may interfere with the witnesses and that he posed threats to the victim.

Kambu, who works with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was arrested at Braeburn School while dropping his kid Wednesday morning.

Kasarani DCIO Valerian Obore told Citizen Digital that the man would be charged with grievous harm.

“Investigations into the matter have revealed that he has a case to answer,” said Obore.

Kambu, a native of Papua New Guinea, had ruthlessly battered his wife two weeks ago at their residence in Jacaranda Estate.

Gakii, a Kenyan who sort medical attention at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, said Kambu was dropping off her son on the evening of October 18th when he assaulted her.

In an incident filed under OB number 59/18/10/2015 and reported at 2200hrs at Kiamumbi Police Station on October 18th, Gakii claimed she had a reason to believe her husband wanted to use their four-year-old son for human sacrifice.

She said that she had been skeptical that the police would take action against Kambu given he was enjoying diplomatic immunity by virtue of being under the employ of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said diplomatic immunity did not shield foreign nationals from criminal prosecution as it was a courtesy Kenya extended and could withdraw under compelling circumstances.