Relatives of a third-year student shot dead during protests in Maralal in 2013 have accused the state of delaying a court case facing a former Maralal police boss linked to the murder. Speaking to the media in Nakuru on Wednesday, the family`s spokesman Christopher Lelkalepi said the state has delayed the hearing of the case facing the former Maralal OCS Patrick Wafula Manyasi who has been charged with the murder of Tom Rono Lokishorumongi.
"The case has been arbitrarily adjourned since July 2015. Since then nothing has been done. Prosecutors on the case are dragging their feet and delaying justice. We are asking the government to intervene in this matter," said Lelkalepi.
The police boss is accused of killing Lokishorumongi, who was a student at Laikipia University Maralal campus on October 30, 2013 prompting riots that would later lead to arrests of local leaders and residents in Maralal town.
Manyasi who has since denied the murder allegations is out on a Sh500, 000 bond.
The deceased was part of a group who had stormed the police station to demand the release of 25 herds of cattle in police custody allegedly stolen at Malkis area in Samburu County.
The case which was first scheduled for hearing before Justice Maureen Odero in October 15, last year was delayed after the judge exempted herself from the case in what she cited as personal reasons.
The case was then placed before Justice Anthony Ndungu who has since taken evidence from Lasip Letiwa, a witness, who was studying with the deceased at the Laikipia University Maralal campus. Manyasi was arraigned in court after the Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko found the former OCS culpable of the murder.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigated the matter alongside the office of the DPP and adduced in court incriminating evidence against the former police boss. The case is now scheduled for hearing and determination on October 3 and 4 respectively in Nakuru.