The fifteen police officers alleged to have played a key role in the disappearance and murder of two Indian nationals and their Kenyan taxi driver in 2022 before their bodied could dumped in Abadere ranges in Nyeri County, will now remain in remand until March 20, 2025.
This is after today the High Court in Kiambu ordered the officers to remain in custody pending their bail and bond application.
The officers, drawn from the Special Service Unit (SSU), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), pleaded not guilty to murder charges before Justice Abigal Mshila.
The probation office has been tasked with compiling a pre-bail report, incorporating perspectives from the victims’ families in Kenya and India.
The fifteen officers are Peter Muthee Gachiku, James Kibosek Tanuki, Joseph Kamau Mbugua, David Chepchieng Kipsoi, Joseph Mwenda Mbaya, John Mwangi Kamau, Hillary Limo Kipchumba, Stephen Luseno Matunda, Simon Muhuga Gikonyo, Paul Njogu Muriithi, Boniface Otieno Mtulla, Elikana Njeru Mugendi,Fredrick Thuku Kamau John Wanjiku Macharia and Michael Kiplangat Bett.
The officers are accused of murdering Nicodemus Mwania Mwange, Mohammed Zaid Sami Kidwai, and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan between the night of July 22 and the day of July 23, 2022, near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road, Nairobi.
The state has opposed their release on bail, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case have evolved.
Defense lawyer Dunstan Omari, representing the first accused, contended that the case is being handled unfairly and that his clients are victims of political persecution.
The case will be mentioned on March 20, 2025.
