The International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya has welcomed the acquittal of Peter Weru, alias Ngotho, who had been charged with the murder of fellow boda boda rider Jackson Mwai Chege, following a six-year legal battle.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the organisation said the High Court’s decision marked a significant turning point for Weru, a father of three who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
In the case, Justice Kanyi Kimondo acquitted Weru after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was responsible for Chege’s death. IJM Kenya said it had supported Weru since 2021, when the organisation learnt of his case during prison visits. The support included legal representation, psychosocial assistance, economic empowerment and case management for Weru and his family.
“When we first met Peter in prison, he couldn’t meet bail, and we faced a lot of challenges obtaining information from the investigation side. But our team remained dedicated; we cast doubt on the prosecution’s case, and today justice has prevailed. Our client walks free, cleared of all murder charges,” said Janice Muchemi, the IJM lawyer who represented Weru.
Chege was found dead in his house in Maili Saba, Dandora, Nairobi County, on September 24, 2020, with traces of blood on the floor.
The prosecution accused Weru of murdering him, alleging that the fatal injuries resulted from a physical confrontation between the two men on September 20, 2020. However, in his judgment, Justice Kimondo found that although the deceased died from multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma, the prosecution had failed to establish a sufficient link between Weru and the injuries that caused the death.
The court relied on the evidence of the pathologist, who testified that the fatal injuries were recent and had occurred within 24 hours of the postmortem examination conducted on September 28, 2020.
Justice Kimondo also raised concerns about significant gaps in the police investigation, including the failure to produce bloodstained knives and clothing reportedly recovered during the inquiry. Investigators also failed to obtain reference DNA samples from the deceased and his brother, making it impossible for the Government Analyst to establish the source of the blood found on several items.
The court further questioned why the deceased’s brother had not been adequately investigated over an alleged violent altercation with Chege on the night before his body was discovered.
IJM Kenya said the judgment represented more than a legal victory, describing it as a moment of renewed hope for Weru and his family after years of uncertainty, separation and hardship.
“For Peter and his family, today’s judgment is more than a court ruling. It is the restoration of hope after years of uncertainty, separation, and hardship. We celebrate this outcome with Peter and remain grateful for his resilience throughout the long wait for justice,” said Mary Okello, a Survivor Services staff member at IJM Kenya.
According to the organisation, Weru remained hopeful throughout the proceedings, supported by his wife, Aisha, their three children and people who stood by the family during the trial. The acquittal now gives the family an opportunity to rebuild their lives after years of uncertainty surrounding Weru’s future.
IJM Kenya said it would continue working with government institutions and justice sector actors to strengthen justice systems, improve access to justice for vulnerable people and protect the rights of accused persons through fair and accountable legal processes.
The organisation emphasised the importance of ensuring that criminal proceedings uphold the principles of fairness and accountability, particularly where the evidence presented in court is insufficient to sustain a conviction.
