Man Accused of Killing Moi University Student Wangeci Want Judge Out of Case
After three failed attempts to secure release on bond, Naftali Kinuthia, a man facing a murder charge for the death of Moi University final year student Ivy Wangeci is now seeking a judge that has been hearing the case to recuse himself.
KHISA CJ
Through his lawyer, Kinuthia has filed an application before the court asking High Court Judge Stephen Githinji to excuse himself from the case on claims of favoring the victim’s side.
The accused argues that failure by the court to grant him bail is a clear indication that the judge won’t serve them justice.
In dismissing the recent bail application, the court ruled that Kinuthia might interfere with witnesses who have not yet testified as well as the fact that h might be at risk if released.
Justice Githinji has now issued a directive for both parties to file their responses on the application with a mention of the matter set for October 21, 2021.
Already the victim’s family has indicated that they will be opposing the application.
Led by their lawyer Keroko Ndegwa, the family says they are happy with how the case has been handled.
“This case is among matters that have attracted bile against judiciary but we’re happy and satisfied by the way judiciary has dispensed its duty to serve justice,” Ndegwa told journalists outside the Eldoret High Court.
The application comes even as the hearing for the murder charge continued on Tuesday with two more witnesses testifying.
Kinuthia who has been in custody since April 2019 when he was arrested is accused of hacking to death Ivy Wangechi in Eldoret town using an ax.
He denies all the charges facing him.
The prosecution has lined up 21 witnesses to testify in the case, with 10 now having appeared before the court.
Hearing for the murder case continues in December 2021.
