The Embu High Court has summoned a human right activist over his claim of attempts to cover up a murder case.
Justice Florence Muchemi, summoned Taratisio Kawe to appear before court on February 3rd next year when the case will be mentioned.
Kawe, a former police officer, has been helping family of Adriano Mugendi Njeru, who was lynched after beeing accused of theft of muguka (khat).
The Kiamuringa Secondary School Principal, Kennedy Nthiga Mugoiyoh, Joseph Kariuki Ndathi, Nicholas Njeru Njue and Nairobi businessman ,Alfred Nyaga Itimu are accused of killing the deceased.
The four had denied that on December 14, 2017 at Magacha village in Mbeere North Embu County, they unlawfully killed Mugendi with others not before Court.
On Monday this week, during a mention Nthiga’s lawyer, Dancan Okwaro, said Kawe had been claiming there were attempts to influence the case, urging the Court to restrain him and allow for natural justice to take its course.
The suspects also requested the Court to stop Kawe from commenting on the proceedings of the case on mainstream media and social media.
Adriano was killed on the morning hours while heading to market to sell muguka (khat) after he was cornered by the accused who beat him up before lynching him accusing him of stealing the muguka which the family insists was from his farm.
Adriano’s family alleged the detectives had been compromised to cover up the suspects, however, Kawe helped them to protest and put pressure on the government to charge the suspects.
The human right activist had welcomed the charging of the suspects, saying previously there had been attempts for cover-up.
The Mbeere North Director of Criminal Investigations had recommended for a public inquest to find the killers, however, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions objected owing to the fact that the alleged killers are known, in regard to the 15 witness statements, directing that it should be a murder case.
The Siakago Principal Magistrate, Wangechi Ngumi on November 13 terminated the inquest and directed for a murder case.
Lady Justice Muchemi, had released the accused on a bond of Sh.500, 000 each and a surety of a similar amount and also directed them to remain in the country during the period of the case.
By Kimani Tirus
