There was drama during the proceedings of the case involving the murder of former Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were after a key suspect reportedly threatened to kill a prosecutor in court.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), the threat occurred during a court recess as the judge was preparing to issue the way forward.
During the recess, one of the suspects approached the officer and inquired about the identity of the prosecutor. He then threatened to kill him for opposing the suspects’ bail application.
"One of the accused persons has threatened to kill the ODPP officer, forcing the state counsel to excuse himself from court," the prosecution reported.
Following the threats, Justice Diana Kavedza Mochache, who expressed dismay at the suspect's actions, ruled that all three suspects be remanded at Nairobi Industrial Remand Prison.
The court further ordered one of the suspects to undergo a mental assessment. The suspect will remain in isolation pending the outcome.
"I take note that the accused person has threatened to kill the prosecutor. The mere utterance of the words ‘huyu tutamuua’—the question is, what about the witnesses? On these grounds, the three are denied bond/bail. The first accused is to be escorted to Mathari Hospital for assessment," the judge ruled.
The judge also ordered heightened security in the courtroom going forward following the incident.
Since the suspects have yet to take a plea, they are set to remain in custody as the court continues to monitor the case. Meanwhile, the case is set to be mentioned again on June 17.
In separate but related proceedings, the High Court ordered two additional suspects in the same murder case to undergo a mental assessment before being formally charged with murder. The directive came from Justice Margaret Muigai during a separate virtual session.
The court also instructed the two suspects to be provided with legal representation and held at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. They are being detained separately as investigators continue to explore further prosecutorial avenues, including possible plea agreements.
The late Charles Were lost his life on April 30 after he was gunned down during evening traffic at the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road in Nairobi.
