This archive report was first published on 28 September 2021.
Naftali Kinuthia, the suspect in the 2019 murder of Ivy Wangeci, has filed an application seeking the recusal of Judge Stephen Githinji from the case. Kinuthia, who is facing murder charges at the High Court in Eldoret, claims that the judge has shown bias in his handling of the case.
According to Kinuthia's application, Judge Githinji gave consideration to extraneous reasons while delivering the bail ruling on September 23, 2021. Kinuthia argues that some of the reasons cited by the judge were not based on law or facts.
Kinuthia's claims come after Chief Justice Martha Koome directed Justice Githinji to give priority to the murder case, which had been delayed since 2019. The case finally started in July 2021, with a further hearing conducted on July 22, 2021, and eight key witnesses testifying.
However, Justice Githinji has maintained that the hearing of the case will not be adjourned, despite Kinuthia's application. The judge noted that witnesses had already been availed in court and had travelled from various places, and that the late filing of the application was made in no good faith by the defense.
Published on September 28, 2021.
