3 of 7 accused in late MP George Muchai murder cleared by High Court
By Zipporah Ngwatu, September 25, 2025The High Court has acquitted three out of seven suspects in the murder of the former Kabete Member of Parliament (MP) George Mukuru Muchai, who was shot dead on the night of February 6–7, 2015, along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi County.
The three were accused alongside Eric Mungera Isabwa, alias Chairman; Raphael Kimani Gachii, alias Kim Butcher; Mustafa Kimani Anyoni, alias Musto; and Stephen Astiva Lipopo, alias Chokore, and were charged with four counts of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo stated that the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the fifth, sixth, and seventh accused persons (Jane Wanjiru Kamau, alias Shiro; Margaret Njeri Wachiuri; and Simon Wambugu Gichamba) were involved in the murder of the deceased.
In his ruling on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Kimondo said the evidence against the three was insufficient for the court to direct them to be placed on defence.
“In a criminal trial, the standard of proof is beyond any reasonable doubt. As things now stand, there is no reliable evidence proving that the fifth, sixth, and seventh accused persons killed or were party to the killing of any of the four deceased persons. Fundamentally, the evidence does not reveal malice aforethought. Paraphrased, there is no sufficient evidence to convict if the fifth, sixth, and seventh accused persons elect to remain mute,” the judge ruled.
“The Republic has failed to establish a prima facie case against the fifth, sixth, and seventh accused persons (Jane Wanjiru Kamau, alias Shiro; Margaret Njeri Wachiuri; and Simon Wambugu Gichamba). Accordingly, under the provisions of Section 306(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, I enter a finding of not guilty against the fifth, sixth, and seventh accused persons, and the three are hereby acquitted,” Justice Kimondo ruled.
However, the court found that the first four accused persons have a case to answer regarding the murder of the former legislator.
Justice Kimondo noted that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence in court for the first four persons to answer the four charges of murder against them, and thus he has placed them on their defence.
“The Republic has established a prima facie case against the first, second, third, and fourth accused persons (Eric Mungera Isabwa, alias Chairman; Raphael Kimani Gachii, alias Kim Butcher; Mustafa Kimani Anyoni, alias Musto; and Stephen Astiva Lipopo, alias Chokore). Accordingly, under the provisions of Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, I place the four on their defence,” Justice Kimondo ruled.
Notably, the seven have another ongoing matter in a lower court where they are facing robbery with violence charges.