Rally driver Maxine Wahome was on Tuesday arraigned before the High Court to face murder charges over the death of her lover Assad Khan.
However, Wahome did not plead to the charge as the court directed that she undergo a mental assessment to ascertain whether she is fit to stand trial.
Justice Lilian Mutende on Tuesday ordered Wahome to be detained at the DCI offices in Kilimani before she is formally charged on March 15.
The judge directed to escort Wahome to Mathari Mental Hospital on March 14 for her mental assessment.
” This being your first arraignment, you are not required to plead to the charge filed against you by the DPP. The information states that you are charged with the murder of Khan on December 12 at Preston Court, Kileleshwa Nairobi County. You are not required to answer until you undergo mental assessment,” Justice Mutende told Wahome.
The judge noted that the orders made by Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi earlier in the day regarding the bond terms are not biding to the High Court.
She however revoked the Sh100,000 cash bail given earlier by Ochoi and ordered Wahome’s detention pending the murder charges.
The judge also declined an attempt by Wahome’s lawyers, Steve Kimathi and Anderson Musangi to have her continue enjoying the bond terms given by the lower court.
Kimathi had filed an application in the High Court seeking Wahome to be freed on bond, saying she is not a flight risk and has cooperated with investigating officers during the probe.
The judge concurred with State Prosecutor Gikui Gichuhi that the circumstances in the matter has drastically changed since a formal murder charged has been filed in the High Court.
The arraignment of Wahome came hours after the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, recommended that Wahome be charged with murder.
