The state yesterday expressed its determination in pursuing an appeal in which ex-cabinet minister Mbiyu Koinange's wife Eddah Wanjiru and six others were cleared of charges of killing Maasai land rights activist Moses ole Mpoe.
State counsel Milcah Kirui said that the file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advise on several issues on how the appeal should be pursued and requested for more time before the appeal is formally lodged in court.
The court allowed the plea and also dispensed appearance of the accused during the mention of the case saying they shall be informed when the appeal is finally lodged before the Court of Appeal.
This comes two months after Mrs Koinange, her stepson David Njuno Koinange alongside Musana ole Mbukoi, Nicholas Kipsigei Ng’etich, Johnstone Kipkurui Sigei, Steve Kiamba Mwanzia and John Kiragu Macharia were acquitted last December after a four-year trial for the murder of Mpoe and his close friend Parsaaiya ole Kitu on December 3, 2010 at Soilo Junction along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway as they were driving into Nakuru town.
Justice Mshila directed that the case be mentioned on April 29, when the state will give a report on the progress made after perusal of the judgment by the DPP.
During the incident, their vehicle was sprayed with bullets by a lone gunman riding on a motorbike, where Joseph Ole Mpoe survived.
The seven also face another case where they are accused of attempting to kill Mpoe on the same day.