Nyeri: The prime suspect in the bizarre murder of Nyeri-based shop attendant Joy Kanini in June this year, has denied the charge of murder. The 25-year-old accused, John Muriithi Nderitu, also known as Tizo or Johnte, appeared virtually before Justice Joyce Mkambe of the Kerugoya Law Court, where he was charged with murder contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code.
According to Kenya News Agency, the charge sheet states that Muriithi committed the offence between June 9 and June 11 in Ngangarithi, Nyeri town. The murder case gained attention when the torso of the deceased was found on June 11 within Ngangarithi Estate. The torso, missing limbs, a neck, and a head, was discovered in a sack outside Muriithi’s home.
Records at the Nyeri Central Police Station indicate that Muriithi reported Kanini as missing on the day the body was found. He contacted her parents to inform them of her disappearance and accompanied them to the police station before fleeing. A search by detectives and Kanini’s family on June 17 uncovered the missing limbs in a pit latrine at Muriithi’s residence. A post-mortem at Nyeri County Referral funeral home confirmed Kanini died from excessive bleeding.
Muriithi was on the run for over a month before being arrested by DCI officers on July 10 along the Nanyuki-Isiolo road, allegedly fleeing to Uganda. He was presented before Nyeri Senior Resident Magistrate Mary Gituma on July 13, where detectives were granted 21 days to complete investigations. After interrogation, Muriithi led detectives to a pit latrine in Kandara, where Kanini’s missing head was found on July 14.
State Prosecutor Ms. Hellen Mutellah informed the court on August 20 that Muriithi underwent a mental assessment at Mukurweini Hospital on July 29 and was declared fit for trial. Defense Counsel Wambui Mwai requested reasonable bond terms for the accused. However, Justice Joyce Mkambe ordered a pre-bail report to determine his eligibility for release on bond or bail.
Muriithi remains in custody at King’ong’o maximum prison until September 7, when the case will be mentioned.
