By Andrew Kariuki
The High Court has granted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) additional time to complete a mental assessment for police officer Godwin Mwashuke Mjomba, delaying plea taking in a murder case linked to a fatal shooting in Nairobi’s Mukuru area.
Mjomba is under investigation in connection with the death of Shukri Adan Ibrahim Issaka.
The matter came up before Justice Martin Muya at the Makadara High Court on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, where the prosecution sought more time to comply with court orders requiring a mental evaluation of the suspect before he can take plea.
The State informed the court that the assessment had not been conducted as earlier directed because of a backlog of cases at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where such examinations are ordinarily carried out.
“My lord, we are hoping all the outstanding mental assessment reports will be done within the next seven days, and in the circumstances, I was praying for an extension of time so that the matter can be mentioned again formally at a later date,” the prosecution submitted.
The court heard that the Office of the DPP had already escalated the matter to ensure that the assessment is completed within a week to determine whether the suspect is fit to stand trial on murder charges.
Justice Muya, however, questioned the delay, asking why the accused had not been taken to alternative facilities such as Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital or any other hospital capable of conducting the assessment.
In response, the prosecution told the court that efforts were underway to explore other options, including Mama Lucy Hospital, noting that logistical challenges had affected the use of some facilities.
“We had a meeting with the person in charge of the remand home. We are also exploring whether we can take some of them to Mama Lucy for the same assessment. There is a bit of a logistic hitch when it comes to Mathare,” the prosecutor explained.
The State assured the court that it would complete all pending mental assessments within the next seven days.
“My lord, we undertake that we will have done it in the next one week; all the pending files will be worked on,” the prosecution added.
The case will now be mentioned at a later date to confirm whether the assessment has been completed and to give further directions on the plea taking.
