Nyeri Senior Principal Magistrate Pauline Omungala was detained by Athi River police following the February 17 murder of Robert Chesang, whose home was raided by gunmen in Lukenya, Machakos County.
Investigation Context ¶
Police confirmed the magistrate and three other suspects—two active-duty officers and a retired officer—are in custody. They will appear in court Monday as investigators seek extended detention orders.
Chesang, a lawyer, was killed during a daylight attack at his residence. Authorities revealed a suspect paid Sh181,000 to orchestrate the killing. A police source stated one officer confessed to pulling the trigger, claiming he was misled into believing Chesang was a criminal.
Motive and Background ¶
A senior investigator linked the murder to domestic tensions between Chesang and his wife, Magistrate Omungala. The couple faced court battles over property disputes, with the magistrate alleging she felt humiliated by judicial proceedings involving her husband.
Documents obtained by Nairobi News showed the couple’s marriage was marked by conflict. Chesang’s death occurred days after his wife’s husband—also a lawyer—was shot dead at their Lukenya home on February 17.
