By Fredrick Kioko
Three men accused of participating in the brutal killing of three young men in Machakos have been denied bail and will remain in custody at Machakos GK Prison pending the hearing of their case.
The suspects—Christopher Mwenda Robert, Francis Mutinda Kimeu and Dominic Muinde Paul—are facing murder charges over the deaths of Kennedy Mutiso, 29, Stanley Muthungu, 22, and Charles Mutiso, 25, who were allegedly attacked on the night of May 31, 2026.
The victims were reportedly walking home after watching the UEFA Champions League final when one of them was accidentally struck by a Probox vehicle. A confrontation reportedly followed the accident, after which the vehicle’s driver, identified as the first accused, allegedly raised a false alarm claiming that the victims were involved in carjacking.
The alarm is said to have attracted a crowd of boda boda riders and members of the public, who allegedly descended on the three men, assaulted them, doused them with petrol and set them on fire. The prosecution also alleges that some of the victims were attacked using a panga.
In denying the suspects bail, High Court Judge Justice Josephine Mong’are cited the alleged extreme violence and heinous nature of the offences.
The judge said the prosecution had presented a strong case at the preliminary stage, noting that the allegations involved the victims being brutally assaulted, cut with a panga, soaked in petrol and set ablaze.
Justice Mong’are further expressed concern over the possibility of witness interference, observing that the first accused allegedly made calls to other people, including the second and third accused persons, suggesting that other individuals may have been present during the incident.
She warned that witnesses, particularly those from the same community as the accused, could be intimidated, coerced or influenced either directly or indirectly if the suspects were released on bail.
The judge also described the matter as complex, involving three accused persons, three victims and several other individuals who have not yet been brought before the court.
She ruled that releasing the suspects could jeopardise ongoing investigations, particularly given the high risk of witness interference and the fact that other suspects are yet to be arrested.
The three accused persons will therefore remain in Machakos GK Prison as the case proceeds.
The matter will come up for mention on November 4, 2026, while the hearing is scheduled for December 15 and 16, 2026, and June 7, 8 and 9, 2027.
