This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On August 9, 2016, a police informer, Peter Ngugi, made a shocking confession to the killings of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and a taxi driver Joseph Muiruri. The confession was made at the DCI headquarters, but now Ngugi is seeking to have it reviewed by a judge.
Ngugi's new lawyer has argued that the confession should not be admitted as evidence because its recording was not procedural. However, the prosecution, led by Nicholas Mutuku and victims' lawyer Ben Sihanya, has opposed the application, stating that the court cannot review the decision and the only available remedy is to appeal.
The three victims were kidnapped on June 23, 2016, after leaving Mavoko law courts. Their bodies were found a week later in River Athi near Donyo Sabuk, with signs of torture and brutal murder. The victims' bodies had fractured skulls, injuries on the chest, neck, and face, and wounds on their hands, indicating that their hands were tied during the ordeal.
Ngugi, along with police officers Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku, and Leonard Maina Mwangi, has denied killing the three men. Justice Lesiit had previously dismissed claims of torture or assault, threats, or intimidation, stating that the confession was taken in accordance with Evidence (out of Court confession) Rules.
Justice Lesiit will rule on the application on September 18.
