Machakos bouncer murder suspects to remain in custody until January 5

Two suspects accused of murdering a club bouncer in Machakos Town will remain in custody until January 5, 2026, when the court is set to begin hearing the case.

The second respondent, Anne Mueni Muthama, appeared in court, while the first respondent, Kennedy Mutie Mbithi, was absent after being hospitalised due to high blood pressure.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigators require 10 more days to conclude inquiries.

A postmortem is yet to be conducted, while firearms and ammunition recovered from the crime scene have been forwarded to the cybercrime unit in Nairobi for analysis.

The DPP also noted that DNA samples must be taken from both suspects, a process delayed by the first respondent’s illness.

Investigators further stated that witness statements are yet to be recorded and CCTV footage recovered from the scene is still being processed, hence the request for additional time. The DPP suggested that Mbithi could receive treatment at a private clinic while remaining detained at Machakos Police Station.

Defence lawyer Davidson Msagha opposed the application, urging the court to grant a maximum of three days instead of ten. He argued that ballistic reports, CCTV analysis, call data, and postmortem examinations could be completed without keeping the suspects in custody.

According to the lawyer, the request to record witness statements was vague and did not justify continued detention, noting that the suspects have been held since December 24, when the shooting occurred.

Msagha maintained that the suspects could be charged or released without halting investigations, as the prosecution retains the option to amend the charge sheet later.

The court, however, ruled that the suspects be detained from the date of arrest, December 24, and that the matter will be mentioned on January 5, 2026.

“There is no dispute that a life was actually lost. I do not find the 10 days excessive. However, the period will start running from the date of arrest, December 24,” the judge said.

The incident reportedly followed an altercation in which the bouncer allegedly used excessive force to eject a woman who was accompanying the suspects.

One of the men is said to have drawn a firearm and shot Munuve, killing him on the spot.