An appeal against the acquittal of seven people linked to the murder of Maasai land rights activist Moses ole Mpoe has been launched at the Nakuru high court.
This comes a month after Eddah Mbiu, wife of former cabinet minister Mbiu Koinange, and stepson David Koinange alongside five other people were acquitted last December in a four-year quest for Justice in the murder case.
The application, which was to be heard yesterday before Lady Justice Abigael Mshila, failed to kick off due to the absence of lawyers of the respondents.
This prompted the state to seek for more time to consult with the lawyers before hearing of the appeal.
Justice Mshila directed that the appeal be heard on March 4, when both parties are expected to make submissions in court.
The seven - Eddah Wanjiru Mbiu, David Koinange, Musana ole Mbukoi, Nicholas Ng’etich, Johnstone Sigei, Steve Mwanzia and John Macharia - were charged with the murder of the activist.
Five of the suspects were arrested soon after Mpoe and his friend, Parsaaiya ole Kitu, were shot dead on the evening of December 3, 2010 at Soilo Junction along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway as they were driving to Nakuru town. Their car was sprayed with bullets by a lone gunman riding on a motorbike.
The seven are also facing an attempted murder charge at the Nakuru law courts in the matter of Joseph Mpoe, who survived the attack. The attempted murder charge had been placed aside pending hearing and conclusion of the murder case.