By Anchor Reporter
Mavoko court today released on bond 10 suspects linked to investigations into the murder of Machakos County IT officer Alphonse Mbune Matee as he was being buried.
The officer was laid to rest at his home in Yatta, Ndalani Ward.
Mavoko Senior Principal Magistrate Meresio Opondo gave said the bond terms will subsist pending a decision on whether the 10 will be charged.
As the emotional burial unfolded, the murder investigation entered a new uncertain phase, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) being given 10 days to determine whether the evidence gathered by detectives is sufficient to prosecute any of the suspects.
The 10 include three of Matee’s colleagues at the Machakos County Government—Johnstone Wambua Ndonye, Meshack Manthi Kioko and Antony Musila Mbaluka—as well as Monicah Ndanu Mutunga, Daniel Kyengo Nzisa, Joseph Munguti Mbusi, Shadrack Keli Matata, Bernard Mutunga, Michael Nzioki and a woman who was arrested later – Patricia Mwaluko.
The suspects were released on a cash bail of KSh500,000 or a bond of a similar amount after spending 10 days in custody under orders issued by Ms. Opondo to allow detectives to complete investigations.
Matee’s killing has shocked Machakos County since his body was recovered at Kwa Mutula Ranch along the Kyumbi–Machakos Road after he reportedly spent his final hours at Brew Box Bar and Grill.
Investigators claim several of the suspects were among the last people to see him alive.Police recovered his body with his hands, legs and neck tied using pieces of cloth.
A post-mortem examination later concluded that he died from severe head and neck injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
During the detention period, detectives told the court they were analysing CCTV footage, mobile phone records, M-Pesa and bank transactions, and forensic evidence, including toxicology reports, as they sought to reconstruct Matee’s final movements.
Although the suspects have now been released, the investigation remains active. A source close to the inquiry told The Anchor that detectives are still pursuing other persons of interest believed to have information relevant to the case.
The source said investigators remain confident that ongoing forensic analysis and witness interviews will help establish individual culpability before the ODPP makes its charging decision.
As family, friends, colleagues and residents bade farewell to Matee in Yatta, calls for justice dominated the funeral, with mourners urging investigators to ensure that those responsible for his killing are identified and prosecuted.
The ODPP is expected to decide within the next 10 days whether to institute murder charges against any of the suspects or close the file against those for whom insufficient evidence exists.
Stay Anchored
