This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta's absence from court has once again delayed the hearing of the Willy Kimani murder case. The case, which was initially set to be heard for two weeks, has now been postponed until October 7, 2019.
According to Justice Jessie Lessit, the court was told that Ombeta is still unwell and needs three more days to recover. Lawyer Sam Nyaberi, who is representing Ombeta, submitted a doctor's letter recommending that Ombeta take three days off duty.
However, the prosecution did not oppose the application for adjournment, stating that they had seen the doctor's letter and understood the nature of Ombeta's illness. The prosecution also asked the court to proceed with the case on Thursday, October 10, 2019.
Justice Lessit agreed to the postponement, setting the new hearing dates from October 7 to 18, 2019. The case involves the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, who was abducted and killed alongside his client Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri in 2016.
The accused police officers, Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku, and Leonard Maina Mwangi, are facing charges related to the murder. The case has been marred by delays, with Ombeta's illness being cited as the reason for the latest postponement.
