The JKIA Law Courts has dismissed an application filed by four suspects seeking to challenge the court’s jurisdiction in a case connected to the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were.
In her ruling, Magistrate Irene Gichohi stated that the suspects are still under investigation, and there is no legal basis preventing the court from handling the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) miscellaneous application. The DCI is seeking to detain the four individuals for 30 days to allow for further investigations.
The suspects include the MP’s bodyguard, his driver, and a neighbour from his rural home.
“The application by the respondents lacks merit and the same is dismissed,” ruled Magistrate Gichohi.
The suspects had argued that the case should be transferred to either the Milimani or Kibra Law Courts, claiming the alleged offence occurred within those jurisdictions. However, the magistrate noted that the matter is still in the early investigative stage.
“This court is not trying the accused; it has only been called upon to issue custodial orders,” she said.
With the jurisdictional challenge dismissed, the court will now proceed to hear the DCI’s request for custodial detention.
