This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On October 31, 2019, Francis Barasa Simiyu, a county communication officer stationed at the Machakos police headquarters, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Mary Immaculate Moranga at a Kitale law court. He was charged with conspiring to kill his colleague's husband, contrary to Section 393 of the Penal code.
According to court documents, Simiyu had been hired by Jackline Walekhwa Wanjala to kill her husband John Wamalwa Nyongesa between August 21 and September 3, 2017. He was apprehended by detectives from Kitale at his home in Bungoma County on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
Resident Magistrate Mary Osoro initially stated that her court lacked jurisdiction to hear the conspiracy charges. However, the case was later transferred to another court, where Simiyu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution opposed bond terms, citing that Simiyu had been at large since the offence was committed and was a flight risk. 'It has taken manpower and resources to have him arrested. He is a flight risk and if given bond he is likely to abscond,' said the state counsel, Ms Marion Konga.
Simiyu was denied bond and a court order was issued for him to be remanded at the Kitale GK prison. The case will be mentioned on November 5, 2019.
Published on November 1, 2019.
