A police officer and a prison warder accused of arresting and torturing a man to death over alleged theft of a beehive were charged with murder before a Kericho court.

Constables Julius Kirui and Gilbert Bett appeared on Tuesday before Kericho High Court Judge, Lady Justice Asenath Ongeri.

They denied jointly killing 27-year-old Leonard Kipyegon on 3 January 2022 at Chemugusu village in Kapkugerwet sub-location, Ainamoi sub-county, within Kericho.

The prosecution told the court that a mental assessment on the two accused people at Kericho County Referral Hospital on 1 February this year, established they are to fit to stand trial.

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Timothy Musyoki did not object to their release on bail but asked the court for a pre-bail report.

Lady Justice Ongeri directed probation officers to file a report to enable the court to consider the pre- bail application.

The case was set for a virtual mention on 23 March 2020.

The two accused people  were taken to remand custody at Kericho GK Medium Security Prison.

—KNA