Seth Mwaniki

Nyeri tycoon Stephen Wang’ondu accused of murdering his last-born son alongside four other accused persons have been released on Sh1 million bond and surety of similar amount each after two months of waiting.

In her ruling, Justice Florence Muchemi said that the court reached at this ruling of granting them bond after the prosecution failed to provide compelling reasons that the accused persons were a flight risk and that they are a threat in any way to the prosecution of the case.

The five were arrested following the gruesome murder of Daniel Mwangi whose body was found lying outside his gate in his Mwiyogo home on January 1 this year. They all pleaded not guilty to the offense.

The four James Mahinda, Eddie Kariuki, Raphael Wachira and Geoffrey Warutumo are being accused of murdering Daniel Mwangi Wangondu in Mwiyogo Village, Mweiga in Nyeri county on January 1.

Murder charges

Wang’ondu however failed to appear in court and was represented by his lawyer Mahugu Mbarire who told the court that his client is undergoing treatment at Nyeri County Referral Hospital where he is currently admitted.

The court ruled that the accused persons who are facing murder charges must surrender their passports if any to the court and shall not be required to leave the jurisdiction of the court without its prior knowledge until the case is heard and determined.

The court further ruled that the case shall always mentioned after every 30 days before the court Deputy Registrar until the case is heard and determined.

The accused persons were also warned of intimidating or talking to case witnesses stating that flouting of the above conditions shall lead to cancelation of the bond.