Dennis Karani Gachoki, the main suspect in the killing of Samuel Mugo Muvota, will remain in police cells for two weeks pending investigations.

The directive by Milimani Magistrate Caroline Muthoni comes after the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), George Kinoti, sought to continue detaining Karani (right) to complete investigations.

The murder occurred last week in Mirema, Kasarani, within Nairobi.

Request merited

“I find the request by the police merited and order Karani be detained for 14 days at Kasarani Police Station in Nairobi. The case will be mentioned on June 8,” she ruled. 

Mugo was shot six times in broad daylight by a gunman on May 16, 2022. The DCI has asked the court to allow Karani’s detention for two weeks since investigations into the matter are ongoing.

In an application filed before the court, the DCI — through Corporal Kapario Lekakeny, the investigating officer ­­— says Karani surrendered this Monday and more time is needed for investigations.

The DCI says that the investigators are still analysing the numerous phone numbers used by Karani. Karani is also alleged to have stolen a police firearm in Kasarani by stupefying the officer using drugs. The gun is yet to be recovered.

“We urge the court to issue a custodial order that Karani be detained for fourteen days from May 24 to June 6, 2022 at Kasarani police station in Nairobi to allow investigating officer complete investigations on a case of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the penal code,” reads the affidavit.

Kapario states that the suspect was arrested upon surrendering at DCI headquarters on Monday, May 23, 2022.

“The suspect with others not before court are believed to have premeditated the execution of the deceased who was his accomplice in the stupefying and fraudulent scheme,” Kapario says.

“ The suspect together with the deceased and others not before court allegedly operated an elaborate stupefying syndicate within the republic of Kenya. The murder of Mugo is attributed to a deal gone sour.”

The DCI says that the investigators are still analysing the numerous phone numbers used by Karani to ascertain whether he is linked with the murder and also arrest his accomplices.

He argues that the interrogation of the suspect is likely to lead to the arrest of others involved in the murder including the gunman, who is still at large.

 According to the police, Karani is also alleged to have stolen a police firearm in Kasarani by stupefying the officer and the said gun is yet to be recovered.

The DCI further states that the suspect has no fixed place of abode and is believed to reside in different places including Kiambu, Nakuru and Mombasa.

Kapario said investigators require time to identify his residence to recover the stolen firearm and other dangerous weapons suspected to be in one of the houses.

“Although the suspect surrendered to the police, he failed to produce his mobile phone which is believed to possess vital information that would assist the investigators. Therefore, investigations require the time to travel to Nakuru and Mombasa to collect more evidence,” Kapario said.

“Karani demonstrated to be a flight risk for failing to present himself immediately to the police even after learning that he was wanted by police through the DCI Facebook wall on May 20, 2022,” the officer added.

He will rely on the suspect to assist in identifying his places of abode where searches will be conducted in view of making recoveries and preparation of inventory which the suspect would be required to countersign.

“I implore the court to take notice of the clip going viral on social media where one man was captured by CCTV footage. For clearance of doubt, the crime was committed by more than two people as it is seen that the person who commuted the murder fled to the car that was parked”, the court was told.

“It is for the interest of justice and the family of the deceased are still mourning. The family is still traumatized as they have not recorded the statements,” Kapairo said.

The court heard that once the investigations are complete, the file has to be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and further directions before charging Karani.

On his part, the suspect told the court that he had no objection to the investigations and was ready to have them done.