The high court in Nakuru has committed a man who was convicted for the murder of his friend to a six months’ treatment at the Mathare mental hospital.

This is after it emerged that the accussed, identified as Gaitho Ndung’u is suffering from mental illness.

Justice Rachael Ng’etich in her ruling said it was not safe to release Mr Gaitho back to the community with his current mental condition.

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“In view of the fact that the accused is not mentally fit, it is not safe to release him back to the community. I hereby commit him to Mathare mental hospital with periodic mentions to get report on his mental state and further direction as and when appropriate,” ruled justice Ngetich.

Mr Gaitho was convicted in March 29 for the murder of Mr Samuel Karanja Muhindi in Mona estate of Molo Sub County. He committed the offence on the night of December 23 and 24 of 2014.

Evidence tabled before court by the prosecution witnesses indicated that Mr Ndung’u had strangled his friend to death before hiding his body under his bed.

He then called his uncle Paul Gikuri to inform him of the death. The uncle, accompanied by Ndungús brother went to the house and discovered the body after seeing the legs protruding from under the bed.

They reported the matter to Molo police station where investigations where launched after the arrest of Mr Ndung’u.

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When he was arraigned before court he denied the charges.

Six prosecution witnesses including the brothers and uncle, police and the pathologist confirmed that the deceased’s death was caused by strangulation.

Ndungu’s father in his testimony said he had held a circumcision ceremony at his home in which the suspect and the deceased were present till late. He noted that he heard the two friends chat in the kitchen before they went to bed.

The father was however, notified of the death by his daughter.

According to the father, Ndung’u abused drugs including bhang and alcohol.

The accused however, through his lawyer said the accused was suffering from a mental illness at the time he was committing the offense.

Justice Ng’etich while convicting Mr Ndung’u directed the probation department to prepare a pre-sentencing report.

The report indicated that Mr Ndung’u suffers from psychosis. The report further revealed that some of Ndungu’s family members suffer from mental depression which leads to mental disorders.

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Ndung’u was living with his father since his mother passed away.

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Man who strangled his friend to death in Molo sent to Mathare mental hospital

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Joseph Openda