Latest Updates: Nyeri

Showing posts with label Nyeri. Show all posts

Monday, November 8, 2021

Kagumo High School students arrested for plotting arson

Eric November 08, 2021 0

Three students from Kagumo High School in Nyeri County have been arrested for allegedly plotting to burn a school dormitory.

The trio included one Form Four student and two Form Three students

During their arrests on Sunday, the three were found with flammable liquids and a matchbox.

The school principal, Silas Mwirigi, reported the incident on Sunday, November 7.

According to him, one of the watchmen, Peter Wangungu, noticed some suspicious movements from one of the dormitories during school prep time and rushed to the dormitory where he caught the three students.

They froze upon being asked why they were not in class.

The watchman found half litre bottles of kerosene and turpentine and a matchbox when he searched them.

The trio were detained until the area police arrived and established that they were intending to torch the dormitory.

Missing 5-Year-Old kindergarten girl found raped and killed in Nyeri

Nyeri

Eric November 05, 2021 0

A 5-year-old kindergarten girl, Blessing Gathigia, who went missing on Thursday on returning from school has been found raped and murdered in Nyeri.

According to police, Blessing's body was found dumped at a house in the neighborhood. The marks on the body were consistent with rape.

The girl’s mother, Damaris Wairimu, said that her daughter arrived home from school at 3 pm and left after changing her uniform.

Wairimu said, “My daughter came from school as usual after changing her uniform she proceeded for a walk. This is the time she vanished.”

She added that she tried to look for the girl by contacting her relatives but her efforts proved futile. However, search party in the morning led to the discovery of the body.

According to a neighbor, Catherine Wachira, they intensified the search for the missing girl and finally found the body.

She recalled, “I was searching for this child when all of sudden I developed some fear on checking inside this house I saw her body placed at a corner.”

The neighbor found it strange that the scene was just metres from Blessing's home.

The girl from Mathira’s Kianjogu village was raped and murdered before her body was dumped at a house in the neighborhood, police said on Friday.

Irate villagers vowed to hunt down the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Police from Karatina launched investigations into the murder.

The body of the deceased was taken to a Karatina Hospital Mortuary awaiting a postmortem to establish the cause of death.

24 High School students charged with property damage, possession of bhang

Nyeri

Eric November 02, 2021 0

Twenty four students from Kanjuri and Kiarithaini Boys High School in Nyeri were on Tuesday charged with malicious damage to property and being in possession of bhang.

The students appeared before Karatina Principal Magistrate Karen Njalale who earlier rejected the prosecution request to have the charges facing the students deferred for a further two weeks to allow the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to peruse the file and make a decision on the same.

The magistrate argued that the delay in the prosecution of the students who most of them were underage will not only affect the student's learning time but will also show the court's laxity in taking a decisive action against cases of arson in schools that have been on the rise.

"As a court it's the time for decisive and firm action... These are students who should be in school and not in the corridors of justice," said Njalale

Nineteen students from Kanjuri High School were charged with destroying a transformer worth sh 1.1 million at the school.

They were also charged with possession of bhang and two jerricans of petrol.

Five students from Kiarithaini Boys High School were charged with possession of petrol.

All the students pleaded not guilty and were released on bond with their parents and guardians being directed to deposit a copy of their identification cards.

The case will be heard in December.

11 Kanjuri High School students arrested over arson

Nyeri

Eric October 30, 2021 0

Police in Nyeri have arrested 11 students from Kanjuri High school after another dormitory in the school was razed down by fire on Friday night .

The night inferno razed down properties estimated to cost sh 800,000.

A total of 98 beds were destroyed in the dormitory named Jubilee forcing the school management to order for the indefinite closure.

The accused students some of whom were found in possession of bhang are currently being held at Kamachibi and Kiamariga Police Station awaiting arraignment in court on Monday.

Mathira East Police Commander James Barasa who confirmed the arrest of the students said preliminary investigations had concluded that the incident was an arson attempt.

Nyeri tycoon accused of killing his son dies

Nyeri

Eric May 08, 2021 0

Stephen Wang'ondu, the 74-year-old businessman from Nyeri accused of orchestrating the murder of his son is dead.

His family confirmed the unfortunate news on Friday but didn't delve much on the cause of his death.

Stephen had been charged alongside four others with the murder of Daniel Wang'ondu who died on January 1st, 2021.

On April 28, the High Court in Nyeri freed Wang'ondu alongside James Mahinda, Eddy Kariuki, Raphael Wachira and Geoffrey Warutumo on Sh 1 million bond amid protest from the state prosecution.

Long-serving KTDA boss Peter Kanyago loses election

Nyeri

Eric April 24, 2021 0

Farmers from Chinga Tea Factory in Nyeri have voted out Kenya Tea Development Agency ( KTDA) national chairman Peter Kanyago.

Kanyago who has been at the helm of the agency for close to three decades will be replaced by Mark Mwangi.

Mr Mwangi garnered 235 votes trouncing his only rival Josephine Wanjiru who got 27 votes.

Mr Kanyago didn't participate in the election, since the KTDA has maintained that the election is illegal.

This now means that Kanyago will cease being KTDA Chairman.

Two women charged for drugging a man and stealing from him

Nyeri

Eric April 07, 2021 0

Two women have been charged in court for drugging a man and robbing him of valuables in Nyeri town.

37-year-old Rita Achieng and 33-year-old Mercy Waithira Njeri also faced an alternative count of handling stolen property.

Appearing before Nyeri Senior Principal Magistrate Macharia Muiruri, the two suspects denied committing the offences on April 2 in Kagumo village.

Allegedly, they administered Stilnox - a stupefying drug - to one Isaiah Kagume, intending to steal from him.

Their second-charge was for stealing valuables including a laptop and mobile phone, all valued at Sh70,000.

However, the two suspects were unrepresented and they pleaded not guilty to the charges and asked the court to be released on a cash bail.

Pauline Mwaniki led the prosecution that asked the court to release the suspects on bond as they await trial to allow police complete their investigations.

Mwaniki said, “I urge the court to consider not releasing the suspects on cash bail based on the seriousness of the offence.”

The two were released on a bond of Sh500,000 each and the case is to be mentioned on April 16.

Nyeri county suspends non-essential services for 30 days

Nyeri

Eric April 03, 2021 0

Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga has announced the suspension of non-essential services in the county for 30 days over the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the press, Governor Kahiga said that the county had lost an officer in the department of housing and planning to the virus.

The county boss also confirmed that five other officers within the county were battling Covid-19.

He however noted that health, finance and emergency service at the county will run uninterrupted.

At the same time, staff members aged above 58 years in the essential departments will be allowed to work from home with the government urging them to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

In terms of cushioning Small and Medium Enterprises, the county has announced a 50% cut for the business permit .

Four students test positive for COVID-19

Nyeri

Eric March 11, 2021 0

Four students in Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls School have tested positive for coronavirus.

Confirming the news, Nyeri County Commissioner Lyford Kibaara said two of the students had been allowed to go home after they fell ill and were later found to have contracted the virus.

" Later two other students started exhibiting flu-like symptoms and were admitted to Othaya Annex Hospital after they tested positive for Covid-19," said Mr Kibaara.

The commissioner assured parents of the student's safety saying that health care workers are currently at the institution assessing the situation.

Court detains Nyeri man accused of hiring attackers to kill his son

Nyeri

Eric February 26, 2021 0

A Nyeri magistrate court has ordered that, Stephen Wangondu Kinini, who was accused of hiring attackers to kill his 32-year-old son in Nyeri, should remain in police custody for five more days as investigations into the matter continue.

On Friday, Wangondu and five other suspects; Geoffrey Waturi, Eddy Kariuki Ngari, Charity Muchiri, James Mahinda Mwangi and Raphael Wachira were arraigned before Nyeri Principal Magistrate Mathias Okuche.

The prosecution asked for more time to detain them, pending the conclusion of the investigations.

Raphael Wachira was arrested on Thursday in Nairobi’s pipeline area after being on the run since the incident occurred.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said that Stephen Wangondu Kinini paid the attackers Ksh.160,000 to kill his 32-year-old son Daniel Mwangi Wang’ondu, who was a businessman at Mweiga town in Nyeri.

Mwangi's body was found in a pool of blood at the gate to his house in Wendiga village in the wee hours of Jan 1, 2021.

Investigators said that at the time of the murder, the motive behind it was unclear as nothing had been stolen from Mwangi or his house, adding that his car was still at the crime scene.

James Mahinda Mwangi, who is the deceased’s father's driver and the first suspect was arrested on Saturday, February 20, 2021 in Nairobi’s Githurai area.

After he was interrogated, James led officers to Matakani area in Embu where two other suspects, Geoffrey Waturi and Eddy Kariuki Ngari, were also arrested. The three were taken to the RCIO’s offices in Nyeri.

According to the findings from further investigations, the trio are long-time friends who had been paid Ksh.160,000 by the deceased’s father, Stephen Wang’ondu Kinini, in December 2020 to kill his son over a family feud.

Wang’ondu had given his driver, James, a facilitation fee of Ksh.20,000 instructing him to form a team that would commit the murder, the detectives said.

James took up his task and briefed his accomplices on their target, his residence, movements and car after picking them from Embu on December 31.

They bought the murder weapon at a local hardware store on reaching Mweiga then they used it to kill Daniel Mwangi Wang’ondu in the wee hours of the night.

Charity Muchiri was the fourth suspected arrested in connection with the wicked plan.

EACC detectives arrest two police officers for demanding Ksh.500,000 bribe

Nyeri

Eric February 25, 2021 0

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Nyeri County have arrested two police officers for allegedly demanding and receiving Ksh.500,000 bribe in 2018.

EACC Central Region head Charles Rasugu said that the officers received the bribe as an inducement to effect an eviction order which was validly issued by court against illegal occupants of a private property.

The two officers in custody are the current Likoni OCPD Jane Kavutha and the deputy OCPD Nyandarua West, Ephraim Karani.

In a statement, the EACC said, “They were arrested following conclusion of investigation into alleged demand of a bribe Ksh.500,000, by the duo, while serving in South Kinangop, Nyandarua County, as Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) and District Administration Police Commander (DAPC), respectively.”

On February 10, 2021, the DPP consented to the prosecution of the said officers.

The suspects are to be arraigned at the Nyahururu Law Courts next week.

Police boss questioned after shooting at two 'suspects' in fake bank heist

Nyeri

Eric February 09, 2021 0

A senior police boss has triggered questions after claiming that he shot at two gangsters who were planning to rob a bank in Nyeri County on Thursday, February 4, yet there are reports that contradict his claims.

According to Nyeri County CIPU Commander Mohammed Alike, the two men arrived at the bank at around 8 pm on a motorbike.

One was a 33-year-old man, Nicholas Mwangi and the other was the boda boda rider.

Alike accused the men of pulling out a gun on him, forcing him to open fire and shoot at them. The rider escaped unhurt but Mwangi was unfortunate because the police boss shot him on the leg four times.

Alike managed to pursue and apprehend the rider, reporting the case at Nyeri Police station.

The police boss stated that he spotted the two men while in his personal car parked outside the bank.

Mwangi was taken to Nyeri County Referral Hospital where police chained him to his bed and put him under heavy guard. The rider was also detained at the police station.

However, Mwangi's employer and family contradicted Alike's statement. It was confirmed that Mwangi is an engineer who had been tasked with repairing a generator at the bank.

According to a manager at the firm where Mwangi works, there was an agreement between the bank and the firm to service the machine at night to avoid inconveniencing customers during the day.

"We needed to proceed with the repairs after the closure of business and we had to extend into late-night hours," the manager said.

Furthermore, detectives claimed that a fake gun, suspected to be the gun Alike claimed the duo had on them, was planted at the scene.

The presence of the Nyeri County CIPU Commander outside the bank at 8 pm, four hours after the bank was closed, also puzzled the police. The police boss surrendered his firearm for ballistics examination.

According to Mwangi's family, Alike was framing Mwangi for robbery with violence and attempted assault.

They also said that the detectives detaining the engineer illegally and faking a bank heist to cover up the case.

Police are still investigating into the matter. Mwangi is to be arraigned in court to answer the charges.

Leaders demand justice for disabled man killed by VIP convoy in Nyeri

Nyeri

Eric February 05, 2021 0

A section of leaders have issued an ultimatum to the National Police Service to investigate the death of Christopher Gachari, who was run over by a VIP convoy heading to the Sagana meeting last Saturday, and make an arrest within 14 days.

Led by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, his Nominated counterpart David Ole Sankok and Senator Issac Mwaura.

"Gachari was one of us and his life mattered and if you do not make any arrests in 14 days we shall hold demonstrations demanding action from the police," Ole Sankok stated during Gachari's burial.

Mwaura affirmed that they will ensure investigations into the killing are carried out and the people who were involved are arrested.

He said, “We will not allow people who drive in vehicles fuelled by taxpayers’ funds to kill the same people they should protect.”

Gachari, who was disabled, died last Saturday in a road accident involving three VIP vehicles along the Karundas- Chaka Road.

At the end of the funeral service, leaders who wanted to speak were told not wait until the event end so they could make their remarks. This caused some drama.

The leaders maintained that they wanted to address the mourners and condole with the family.

Gachagua stated, "We want to ask the government and leaders from this constituency to fight for justice for the Gachari family."

Politician's convoy kills man on wheelchair

Nyeri

Eric February 01, 2021 0

A politician's convoy that was headed to President Uhuru Kenyatta's Sagana meeting killed disabled man along the Chaka Sagana road.

According to reports, Christopher Nderitu was run over by three vehicles 200 meters from his home in Karundas.

The decead's family in Nyeri County is seeking justice.

The widow, Fortunate Muthoni, appealed to the police to apprehend those responsible.

"My husband was disabled and I do not understand how someone like him could die like that," she wondered as she spoke to a local media house.

According the witness who was with Nderitu, one of the vehicles which hit the disabled man had tried to overtake on a speed bump.

The witness stated, "We saw the vehicles coming from Chaka at a very high speed. I cautioned Chris about how dangerous they were moving but he told me not to worry because he was sure they could see him and keep to their side of the road."

He added that the convoy hit the man as it did not slow down. The first vehicle threw him off his wheelchair after hitting him and the other two ran him over.

Nearby residents were attracted by the accident which also stopped the motorcade. They went to the aid of the man who unfortunately died.

Police officers rushed to the scene to clear the wreckage.

Mt Kenya region leaders unanimously support BBI Bill

Nyeri

Eric January 30, 2021 0

Mt Kenya region leaders who were in a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta today at the Sagana State Lodge voiced their unanimous support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Led by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga,the leaders told the president that they intend to keep the peace, tranquility and unity of the region, leaving no room divisive politics and external influence.

The leaders comprised politicians, youth representatives, women and other grassroots formations.

As they made the assurance, the leaders said the constitutional reform process will be of benefit to the region.

President Uhuru met over 7,000 delegates from 10 counties as he completed the second day of his Central region tour.

His goals were to discuss the development of the region and pertinent national agenda including the BBI.

22-minute commercial flights to Nyeri to be launched this July

Nyeri

Eric January 27, 2021 0

The Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) announced that a 22-minute commercial flights between Wilson and Nyaribo airstrip will begin this July.

Therefore, people wishing to travel to Nyeri after the launch will be greatly advantaged.

The authority's announcement follows the completion of the Sh39 million VIP lounge which is also set as a clearance area.

According to KAA regional manager in charge of Wilson and northern airports Joshua Okumu, the project, which was launched by president Uhuru Kenyatta, is bound to effectively open up the region as it is in its advanced stage.

“We as an authority want to assure Kenyans that they will be able to use this airport commercially starting July. We know there has been a delay but we have been able to solve this. Infact many commercial flight companies have applied to be allocated hangers in this facility and we will ensure it becomes a reality, ” said Okumu after a tour of the facility.

Nyeri town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri who was also present in the tour stated that plans to ensure security of airport users following the creation of the airstrip are in place.

Ngunjiri affirmed, “The national government has posted a new assistant County Commisoner to oversee security of this area including the new airstrip to ensure residents and visitors will be safe.”

The MP also said that the skyrocketing prices of commercials plots in high demand shows one way through which residents in the area have started enjoying the facility's fruits.

KDF officer charged with defiling 16-year-old girl in Nyeri

Nyeri

Eric January 06, 2021 0

A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer was on Wednesday arraigned for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl in Kiriaini town, Nyeri County.

Martin Wanjii Kabura appeared before Nyeri Chief Magistrate Mathias Okuche where he was charged with three counts for defiling the minor, who is a distant. He was accused of committing an indecent act with a child and child sex tourism.

He denied the charges and was released on a Ksh.200,000 bond with a surety of similar amount.

According to a police report on the incident, the Kenya Army officer had volunteered to drop off the girl to school on Tuesday, January 5 but made a stopover at Kiriani market where he allegedly booked into a room and allegedly defiled the girl.

He then left together with the girl heading towards her school but while on the way, the car they were travelling in was involved in a road accident at Muringato area on the Nyeri-Mweiga road.

The girl was rescued and taken to the Nyeri County Referral Hospital while the officer detained at Nyeri police station.

Othaya Girls School Principal wins AU Teacher of the Year Award

Nyeri

Eric December 22, 2020 0

Jane Kamiti, the Principal of Othaya Girls School, has been named the winner of the 2020 African Union Continental Teacher of the Year Award.

Kamiti emerged the winner at the event which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was lauded for her quality teaching and engagement that result in high standards of achievement from the students.

Kamiti was also recognized for nurturing good behaviour among students using positive feedback and other methods.

Last year, Kamiti was awarded for her outstanding innovation in the school which enabled integration of Information and Communication technology (ICT) in day to day learning.

She is known for encouraging students to engage in activities that enhance the social and cultural value of education, and for helping them achieve their various carrier goals by organizing for interaction between the students and relevant parties.

The Othaya Girls’ Principal is also recognized for setting up an e-learning section in the school.

KDF officer and 3 others arrested for allegedly kidnapping businessman

Nyeri

Eric December 18, 2020 0

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have arrested a Kenya Defence Forces Private and three civilians over a kidnapping incident in Nyeri County.

According to the DCI, Private Kelvin Muturi together with his accomplices Kelvin Gacheru, Francis Mwangi and Peter Mwangi, all aged between 26 and 32 years, kidnapped the businessman whose identity was not revealed at Kiawara Trading Centre in Nyeri.

The four, DCI said on Friday, lured the unsuspecting businessman to their trap through his employee’s mobile phone.

“Upon arriving where the gang’s vehicle, a Toyota Fielder KCE 348J lay in wait, the victim was bundled inside and whisked towards Nyeri town, ” DCI said in a statement on Twitter.

“However, detectives acting on the abduction report pursued them swiftly, accosted the abductors and rescued the victim.” The vehicle was impounded.

The suspects, the directorate said, are in lawful custody pending further investigations and arraignment.

Bodies of two children reported missing found floating in River Sagana

Nyeri

Eric November 09, 2020 0

The bodies of two children who were reported missing a week ago were on Sunday found floating on River Sagana.

One of the bodies was sighted on the river on Sunday morning while the second one was found in the same river last evening.

Villagers reported the matter to the Kiamachimbi police station on Sunday morning whereupon, the first body of a 6-year-old boy was retrieved, and taken to a funeral home within Karatina.

The same day, police officers received another report that another body had been sighted at the same location.

It turned out to be the body of a 4-year-old who had also been reported missing.

Mathira West Deputy District Commissioner Jacob Ouma confirmed the incident, saying investigations was underway to ascertain whether the deaths of the minors were accidental.