In a submission made before Senior Resident Magistrate Esther Mburu at the Naivasha Law Court, Joseph Kamau, through his lawyers, asked the court to place him under house arrest.
Kamau also requested the court to put him under counselling.
He argued that since he pulled the trigger on his fellow police officer he has undergone psychological torture including during his arrest. The defendants’ team wanted him to be spared from spending time in the police cell.
The application was made to counter a request put in by the investigating officer, who wanted the court to allow the police to hold him for 14 more days.
He argued that he required more time to complete investigations. The request by the officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was informed by the need to carry out an autopsy on the deceased.
“The investigations will include recording statements from witnesses, taking the rifle used to ballistic experts for analysis at Nairobi, recording statements from the suspect and taking him for mental assessment at Gilgil,” the affidavit read.
Kamau’s team made a submission to counter the request, arguing that 14 days was too long and torturous.
The Senior Magistrate however turned down Kamau’s lawyers request to have him under house arrest. Nonetheless, she granted the request for counselling which would see him undergo socio psycho support through the welfare office.
She further allowed the investigating officer to hold the suspect for a further eight days in which she expects investigations to be concluded.
Kamau is accused of allegedly shooting his senior, Sergeant Ayub Polo, on December 26, at the Akira Kedong ranch after he questioned him on why he was late for his shift.
He fled the scene and was later arrested in a bar in Nakuru. The police also recovered the rifle, which he had discarded in a trench.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
