A senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer, Sergeant John Kimani Muturi, has been detained by a Nakuru court for allegedly killing a 74-year-old civilian during a bar fight at the Githioro Police Station canteen on Christmas Day, December 25. The incident has raised concerns, as Muturi, attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Bahati, was reportedly involved in an altercation with the deceased, Moris Gachanja, while they were having drinks.
The prosecution, led by Jackson Okeyo, filed an affidavit requesting 14 days to hold the suspect, arguing that more time was necessary to complete investigations. The request was based on several factors, including the need to conduct a postmortem examination on the deceased, secure statements from key witnesses, and analyze forensic data from Muturi’s phones. Okeyo emphasized that no postmortem had been conducted and that critical eyewitness statements were still pending, including accounts from patrons at the canteen and Muturi’s girlfriend.
One of the main points raised by the prosecution was the concern that Muturi, due to his military status, could be a flight risk. Okeyo argued that Muturi had access to resources that could potentially enable him to flee, which could interfere with the investigation and witness testimony. The prosecution also aimed to verify Muturi’s service record, investigate his mental state, and determine if he had a history of violent behavior.
In response, Muturi’s lawyer, Harry Gakinya, opposed the application, arguing that the postmortem had already been carried out and that statements had been recorded from witnesses. Gakinya also suggested that the military police, who were present at the scene, should have been consulted for further insights into the events of the incident.
Senior Resident Magistrate Vincent Adet, after considering both sides, granted the prosecution’s request for five days to detain the suspect, citing the need for additional investigation into some aspects of the case. The court ordered that Muturi be taken to the hospital and instructed the officer in charge of the Githioro Police Station to record his complaint.
The case is set to be mentioned on January 3, as the prosecution works to complete its investigations and bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
