A Kirinyaga court has decided to postpone the ruling on the bond application of John Muriithi, the owner of the bar where 17 individuals tragically lost their lives due to consuming illicit brew. Muriithi, represented by his attorney Kemunto Magara, had sought release on bond for the case involving two charges.
The first charge pertains to the deaths of 17 individuals in Kangai village, while the second relates to the alleged theft of exhibits from Kiamaciri Police Station. The court intends to wait until witnesses identified by the prosecution testify, a process expected to take place within the next 60 to 90 days.
Judge Richard Mwongo of the Kerugoya High Court denied Muriithi’s bond application on Thursday, citing concerns that the seven witnesses lined up by the prosecution could be easily influenced, given that they are all visually impaired.
Initially, Muriithi faced charges alongside his brother Anthony Muthee, Muiguru bar owner Lydiah Wanjiru, and police officers Francis Mutethia, Allan Kimanzi, Brian Kariuki, and former Kiamaciri commanding station officer Kennedy Mugambi.
Subsequently, Muteithia, Kariuki, and Mugambi were released on a bond of KES 1 million each, while Kimanzi was granted a KES 500,000 bond based on arguments from his lawyer Nyaga Gitari, who highlighted Kimanzi’s limited tenure in the police force and his orphan status. Wanjiru was granted a bond of KES 800,000, and Muthee was released on a KES 1 million bond.
