Naftali Kinuthia Denies Killing Moi University Student Ivy Wangeci

Naftali Kinuthia, the 28-year-old man accused of brutally killing Moi University student Ivy Wangeci has been charged with murder.

Appearing before Eldoret High Court judge Stephen Githinji, the accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge of killing the sixth-year medicine student.

The accused has been allowed to take plea after a mental assessment test conducted on him confirmed he is fit to stand trial.

His lawyer Mbiu Kamau has urged the court to release him on bond arguing that he would not interfere with the case or skip court sessions. 

However, the court has declined to release him on bond or bail.

The judge has also dismissed an application seeking to have the vehicle used by the suspect, stating that the car is part of the evidence in the case.

The court has also rejected a request by the family of the late Wangeci for the case to be heard in Nairobi. The judge has stated that the incident happened in Eldoret and most witnesses are within the area.

The case will be mentioned on May 9th, 2019 while the hearing will commence on May 10th, 2019.

Kinuthia is accused of hacking Wangeci to death using an axe and knife on April 9th outside the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

The deceased was laid to rest on April 18th in Mahiga, Nyeri County.