Joseph Irungu alias Jowie who is the prime suspect in the brutal murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani on Friday took the State to court on claims of mistreatment.
Jowie's lawyer Wilson Nandwa has appealed for the suspect to be given protection while in police custody.
The lawyer also revealed that the cell in which Jowie had been locked was not only dirty but also infested with bedbugs and snakes.
“The applicant is being subjected to inhumane treatment in a cell infested with snakes and a dirty blanket full of bedbugs and lice,” the court papers read as quoted by Citizen.
Jowie accused an officer at Kamiti Maximum Prison of physically assaulting him. The officer, Mr Lekulal, is also alleged to have threatened the suspect while in custody for reasons Jowie claims not to be aware of.
Reports indicate that Jowie requested to be escorted to Kiambu police station so as to file a formal complaint against the officer who assaulted him.
The suspect also told the court to instruct officers to escort him to Kiambu hospital for medical assessment.
This alleged case of mistreatment is believed to be the reason why Jowie was transferred from Kamiti Maximum Prison to Manyani in Voi last Friday.
Jowie and his co-accused Jacque Maribe are set to appear in court in March 2020.