This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Stephen Kinini Wang’ondu, a 74-year-old Nyeri businessman, has died at Outspan Hospital in Nyeri Town. He was facing murder charges over the death of his son Daniel Mwangi, alongside four others.
Wang’ondu was initially admitted at Mt. Kenya Hospital over suspected Covid-19 complications before being transferred to Outspan Hospital a week ago due to his deteriorating health, according to his lawyer Mahugu Mbarire.
He was accused of orchestrating the murder of his 32-year-old son on December 31, 2020, in Mwiyogo village, Kieni East Sub-county, Nyeri. Wang’ondu and four others, including James Mahinda, Eddy Kariuki, Raphael Wachira, and Geoffrey Warutumo, were charged with murder at the High Court in Nyeri.
They were accused of being hired for Sh. 160,000 to kill Wang’ondu’s son. Wang’ondu and his accomplices denied committing the heinous act and were released on bond last week after spending four months in remand.
Wang’ondu was last seen in court on March 2 this year when the five were formally charged with murder. However, on March 9, the accused did not turn up in court for his bond application hearing, citing a 14-day mandatory quarantine at King’ong’o GK prison after contracting Covid-19.
The prosecution had previously opposed his release on bond, citing the gravity of the matter, possible witness interference, and abscondment. However, trial Judge Florence Muchemi overturned the objection, arguing that the prosecution had not advanced compelling reasons as to why the five should not be released on bond.
The prosecution also gathered incriminating evidence against Wang’ondu, who they maintained could have planned and executed the murder of his son for his selfish interests, including a Sh. 2.5 million insurance claim.
Investigating Officer Joyce Maluki filed an affidavit pointing out insurance fraud as a possible area of the ongoing investigations. Wang’ondu had filed a report on a personal accident with ICEA Lion General Insurance Company on January 25 in relation to the deceased.
Wang’ondu’s family, including his wife, three daughters, and the deceased estranged wife Scholastica Wachuka, had been enjoined in the case as interested parties. They stated that their interest was only in knowing the truth behind the murder and harbored no bitterness against the suspects.
The matter is set to come up for mention on May 10.
Published on May 10, 2021, by Samuel Waititu/KNA.
