Widow Breaks Down While Pleading With Magistrate Against Releasing Husband's Killers

The entrance of Eldoret Law Courts.
The entrance of Eldoret Law Courts.
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Eldoret Court

Eldoret Principal Magistrate Mogire Onkoba bowed to the plea of a taxi driver's widow after she declined to release her husband's suspected killer. 

Grace Muiruri, who was asked to address the court after the suspects applied to be released on bond, seized the moment to explain how her life was at risk as she was an acquaintance of the accused. 

According to Grace, one of the suspects resided close to her home. It was the suspect's home, where her husband, Patrick Muiruri's car, was allegedly found a day after his body was retrieved from a river. 

“Who am I as a witness that you release them on bond, and they go stay in a place where they can see me [sic],” Muiruri’s widow pleaded in the video shared by local media houses on Monday, December 18. 

A photo of the Court of Appeal Bench.
A photo of the Court Bench
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The Judiciary of Kenya

“I feel heartbroken when I hear you want to release the suspects. As I am mourning my husband, they live peacefully and celebrate the festive season with their family, and I just want justice [sic],” she added while restraining her emotions. 

Eldoret Principal Magistrate Mogire Onkoba, in response to the widow's plea, ordered the suspects to remain in custody until February 2024, when the case will be mentioned again.

“In the interest of all and to take the sentiments of the witness, I think we will just go back,” the magistrate added. 

This marks the second time the duo were denied bail as the court, in its first ruling in early December, considered them flight risks. One of the suspects, in his presentation, was alleged to have hinted at relocating to Canada despite the case being underway. 

Patrick Muiruri was allegedly murdered on October 14, 2023, and his body was found dumped near a coffee plantation in Nandi County.

Muiruri was found two days after he went missing, with the prosecution claiming that he received a call from customers who wanted to hire his taxi services.

The wife, while mourning the husband, stated that he loved her and provided for her children too. 

"He was a loving husband, and father dedicated to his work and he never offended anyone," Grace eulogised. 

Taxi vehicles pictured while parking along Nairobi's Central Business District on July 9, 2021.
Taxi vehicles pictured while parking along Nairobi's Central Business District on July 9, 2021.
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