A Nairobi court has ordered the detention of Erick Kamande Muthoni, a middle-aged street dweller, for 21 days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the murder of Dickson Gitonga Muriuki, also known as Kanyiri.
The detention order was granted by the Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego of Milimani Law Courts following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under Article 49(1) of the Constitution, as well as sections 123, 123A, and 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The prosecution argued that the suspect posed a high risk of absconding due to having no fixed residence, no family, and no mobile phone.
In an affidavit filed in court, CPL Antony Kerini, attached to DCI Nairobi Central that the suspect who is a street boy is being investigated for the offences of Murder and opposed his release on bail.
“The respondent has no known fixed place of abode, no known family members or contact persons, and does not own or use a mobile phone. There exists a high risk of absconding should the suspect be released on bail.”
The suspect is accused of killing Muriuki on August 15, 2025, around 2:00 am, while the deceased was walking with Mercy Wanjiku Wambui from Tsunami Market near Ngara area towards Nairobi CBD.
According to the prosecution, the suspect, joined by others still at large, hit the deceased with a sharp object on the head, leading to his death.
The prosecution further told the court that the suspect has voluntarily agreed to cooperate with investigators.
“I am able and willing to lead the police to my co-suspects who are currently in hiding, and to help recover the murder weapon.”
The DCI detectives told court that releasing him at this stage could compromise ongoing investigations, interfere with witnesses, and obstruct the recovery of the murder weapon.
The co-suspects are reportedly hiding in Isiolo and Nanyuki, and their arrest is considered crucial to completing the probe.
The court granted the 21-day detention, emphasizing the need to balance the interests of justice and public safety.
The magistrate ordered Kamande to be held at Central Police Station pending further investigations.
