The Kenya Defense officer accused of killing his wife Anita Mugweru has been threatening and intimidating witnesses in the case, the court was told.

Edwin Muthomi who was arrested in April 10, was referred to Mathare Mental hospital by the court after the Psychiatric examination revealed that he is unfit to stand trial.

When the case was mentioned in court on Thursday the lawyers holding brief for the family of Annitah said the soldier has been contacting witnesses and issuing them threats.

Edwin Muthomi, suspect in the murder of Annitah Mugweru

Photo credit: COURTESY

Appearing before court, the lawyers led by Ms Elizabeth Ochieng said they intended to file an application to seek the court’s invention to restrain the suspect from reaching out to the witnesses.

She says they have gathered details which they intend to present before the court to prove that the conduct amounts to interference with the administration of justice.

"So, this accused person is telling the court that he's still sick, while he's busy intimidating witnesses. We have the details of him intimidating witnesses: the number he used to intimidate them, the people he has been calling, the time, date, and day," she says.

Annitah Mugweru who was stabbed to death by her husband on Tuesday April 10, at their home in the upper hill area.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Ochieng notes that the alleged threats have had a significant impact on the victim's family, forcing them to take additional safety measures as they await the hearing of the case.

"This is a very different case, a case of intimidating witnesses, threatening, which has forced us even to relocate the family from the house he had accused for their own safety," she says.

The family further sought to apply for an independent psychiatric evaluation of the accused, who was absent from court after being transferred to Mathare Mental Hospital for assessment.

Ms Ochieng said they will be filing another application to seek the release of the Muthomi’s identification documents and allow an independent psychiatric assessment of the accused.

Meanwhile, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who has been supporting the family condemned the said interference saying no individual should be allowed to intimidate witnesses or the victim's family regardless of their status, maintaining that the matter should be handled strictly within the law.

"We will not allow intimidation. If they think this family is poor, then we are there for such people. Whether it's a KDF, we do not care. There is law, and we want the law to take its course. We will not allow any person in this case to be intimidated," he says.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR

Then, a medical report conducted on April 23 by Dr Wafula at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital noted that Muthomi had Bipolar Mood Disorder and Post-Traumatic Disorder with Psychosis that was poorly treated, and the Judge deferred the plea until a date when the suspect would be confirmed fit to plead to the charges.

The court however, ordered the parties and serve each with the applications before the case is mentioned on July 14.

“Responses to the applications shall be filed within 14 days of service. The case will be mentioned on that day for compliance and status of the accused person,” ruled the judge

KDF officer accused of killing wife now threatening witnesses, lawyer says

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Leleti Jassor