The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has secured court orders to detain a murder suspect accused of fatally stabbing his ex-wife at her workplace in Uhuru Market, Nairobi.
Augustine Neto Amwayi will be held at Buruburu Police Station for 15 days to allow detectives to complete investigations into the death of Felister Kalekye Katûa, who was killed last Thursday.
Detective Constable Neville Mwabili, who is leading the investigation, obtained the detention order from Senior Principal Magistrate Joseph Karanja.
According to an affidavit filed in court, Ms. Katûa was stabbed four times with a kitchen knife by Amwayi at her place of work, where she knitted school uniforms. “The deceased succumbed to injuries inflicted on her by the respondent,” Mwabili stated.
Police officers from Jogoo Road Police Station, with the help of members of the public, arrested Amwayi shortly after the incident. Her lifeless body was discovered at the scene with visible stab wounds.
DC Mwabili told the court he is investigating a case of murder, contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. As part of the investigation, police will be recording witness statements, conducting a mental assessment of the suspect, and performing a postmortem examination to confirm the cause of death.
Amwayi appeared before Magistrate Karanja on Monday evening, but the proceedings were momentarily delayed after the suspect raised concerns about his attire. He told the court he was wearing trousers borrowed from a fellow inmate and feared being left half-naked after the owner reclaimed them. He also claimed the trousers were not appropriate for his gender.
In response, Detective Mwabili explained that Amwayi’s original trousers had been seized as evidence, as they were stained with blood believed to be from the deceased. The trousers have since been handed over to the Government Chemist for DNA analysis to determine if the blood matches that of Ms. Katûa.
Mwabili had initially requested 21 days to hold the suspect, but the court granted 15.
Magistrate Karanja criticized the DCI’s handling of the situation, stating that investigators should have provided the suspect with suitable clothing either by purchasing a new pair of trousers or coordinating with his family.
The magistrate directed that Amwayi be provided with appropriate attire within one day to ensure his dignity is preserved during further court appearances.
The blood-stained trousers and resulting DNA report are expected to be used as critical evidence in the murder case against Amwayi.
