INVESTIGATION
By The Anchor Writer
A Machakos court today granted police permission to detain a person of interest for 21 days as investigations intensify into the brutal killing of three boys whose deaths have sparked public outrage across the county.
The suspect, identified in court documents as Christopher Mwenda Robert, who is a Khat trader in Machakos town, was arrested on June 4 and is being held at Machakos Police Station pending further investigations into the murders of Charles Mutiso, Kennedy Muthungu and Stanley Muthungu.
He is the same person who police allowed to walk away when the matter was reported moments after the incident.
According to an application filed before the Chief Magistrate’s Court by investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the three victims were attacked in Machakos town in the early hours of May 31 while returning home after watching a football match.
Police told the court that the victims were assaulted by members of the public who allegedly suspected them of being robbers.
The three were set ablaze alive, leading to their deaths. Their bodies were later moved by police to the Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary.
In a supporting affidavit, investigating officer Police Constable Kathambi Nancy stated that the suspect is believed to have been among the individuals who attacked the deceased.
The court heard that investigators are still collecting crucial evidence, including CCTV footage from nearby buildings, forensic analysis of mobile phone data recovered from the suspect, and statements from key witnesses.
Police further informed the court that postmortem examinations on the bodies had not yet been completed and that releasing the suspect at this stage could interfere with ongoing investigations and potential witnesses.
The Machakos Senior Resident Magistrate Betty Koech agreed with the prosecution’s request and issued a custodial order allowing police to continue holding the suspect at Machakos Police Station for 21 days to facilitate completion of investigations.
The development comes amid growing public pressure for justice following the deaths of the three boys, whose killings have triggered demonstrations, online campaigns and renewed scrutiny of mob justice incidents in Machakos.
Families of the victims and human rights advocates have demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of all those responsible for the attack.
Police have indicated that investigations remain active and that additional arrests could follow as detectives review evidence and identify other individuals who may have participated in the killings.
The suspect has not been charged with any offence and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
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