By Andrew Mbuva
The High Court in Machakos has ordered three suspects to stand trial for the murder of three young men killed in Machakos on May 31, 2026, while three others have been discharged after a lower court found insufficient grounds to prosecute them.
Senior Principal Magistrate Betty Koech ruled that Keith Mutuku Muli, Esther Mumbua Mwololo, and Yussuf Said be released and their case files closed.
However, the magistrate directed that Christopher Mwenda Robert, Francis Mutinda Kimeu, and Dominic Muinde Paul be committed to the High Court to face murder charges.
When the three appeared before High Court Judge, the court ordered that they undergo mental assessment at Machakos Level Five Hospital to determine whether they are fit to stand trial.
Justice Mong'are further directed the Officer in Charge of Machakos GK Prison to ensure the accused persons are escorted to the hospital for the psychiatric evaluation.
The judge also ordered that Dominic Muinde Paul and Francis Mutinda Kimeu, who currently have no legal representation, be provided with pro bono legal services through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The first accused, Christopher Mwenda Robert, is already represented by counsel.
The three accused persons will remain in custody at Machakos GK Prison pending the outcome of the mental assessments and the commencement of their murder trial.
The matter will be mentioned on July 29, 2026, for further directions.
