This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
On October 25th, 2019, the High Court dismissed a request by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari to be allowed to make statements about her estranged husband Peter Karanja, a suspect in the murder of Dutch national Tob Cohen.
Justice Daniel Ogembo struck out Wangari's application, ruling that she is not a party to the case.
The prosecution, defense, and the victim's lawyers also objected to Wangari's request, describing her as a stranger in the case.
Wangari had opposed the release of Karanja on bail, stating that he does not have a fixed abode and the house he claimed was his belongs to her.
“The said-house No. 063 in Gilgil Town is my property. He [Karanja] has no right to claim occupancy or ownership of it. Therefore, Karanja cannot persuade the court to free him on the ground that he has a fixed abode,” Wangari said in her affidavit.
She claimed that Karanja was trying to illegally occupy the house by alleging that they were married through a customary arrangement, which is false.
Wangari denied being married to Karanja, stating that they were only acquaintances who had parted ways.
On the other hand, Karanja claimed that they got married in 2010 and were blessed with two children, but their union got stormy a few years ago leading to their separation.
Wangari suggested that Karanja's known abode is his parents' home at Miti Mingi area in Gilgil, and if released on bail, he should be asked to reside there.
Karanja, who is accused of helping Sarah Wairimu eliminate her husband Cohen, will know his bail fate on October 29th.
