This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
On November 16, 2020, the bodies of Joyce Syombua, Chanice Maua, and Prince Michael were discovered buried in a shallow grave near the Laikipia Army base in Nanyuki.
Major Peter Mugure, a Kenya Defence Forces officer, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering his estranged wife and two children in Nanyuki.
According to court proceedings, Mugure's not guilty plea was entered by Nyeri High Court judge Jairus Ngaa, despite Mugure's initial hesitation to take the plea.
Ngaa ordered that the pre-trial hearing in the triple murders start on January 23, 2021.
Prosecutors stated that any issues Mugure has surrounding the case will be addressed as the case proceeds.
Earlier, defence counsel Cliff Ombeta failed to appear in court, prompting Mugure to seek a quick replacement after the prosecution accused them of delay tactics.
Chanice was set to celebrate her 11th birthday during the visit with her father, who trained as a civil engineer at the University of Nairobi.
Those who know 34-year-old Mugure, who was raised in Nairobi and attended Mwangaza Primary and Upper Hill Secondary schools, say he had a troubled relationship with Syombua.
Published on January 10, 2020.
