Mystery as File in Murder of Magistrate's Daughter Goes Missing

A case in court in the murder of a magistrate's daughter failed to begin on Monday after the file went missing. 

Two people accused of murdering the daughter of Githongo Law Courts Senior Resident Magistrate Carol Kemei, Maribel Kapolon were not before the court.

Benson Kimathi, a former warder at Kangeta Prison and Francis Otudo, have been accused of killing Kapolon.

The case was initially filed in Meru but was transferred to Chuka before Justice Robert Limo, who was to hear the case, but stated he had not seen the file.

It later emerged that the file was taken to Chuka on Monday but the High Court in Meru was yet to write to Meru GK Prison so the suspects could be taken to that High Court.

Kapolon was kidnapped on September 6 and her body found dumped in Gitoro Forest, Imenti North, 11 days later after the kidnappers demanded Ksh500,000.

Justice Alfred Mabeya, the judge who was initially presiding over the matter in Meru, transferred the case to Chuka.

“For reasons that the deceased was a daughter of the magistrate heading Githongo Law Courts, which is under Meru High Court, I order the trial of this matter be taken by another High Court for the interest of justice and fair trial,” the judge stated.

Kapolon was kidnapped along Total Road in Meru, near the county commander’s office and adjacent to the county commissioner’s residence.

North Imenti police boss Peter Kimani stated that the samples collected by the detectives from a car believed to be owned by Kimathi were to be taken to the government chemist for analysis.

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