AP Officer Eric Musila, charged with the murder of his wife Diana Chemutai, stage name Chelele, yesterday refused to take a plea for a second time.
His lawyer Aggrey Simiyu said Musila is not ready.
He is set take the plea at the Naivasha High Court tomorrow.
This follows an order by Kericho resident judge Hedwig Ong’udi.
Simiyu had requested that the matter be heard at a different court for security reasons.
He said residents have previously tried to lynch Musila outside the court.
“Residents had bayed for his blood and they are also asking for the identities of his lawyers. They have been outside the court, waiting to see him and to know him,” Simiyu said.
He said Musila has another murder charge at the Kericho court and it would be “imprudent” for it to take on a second murder case involving Musila.
“In the circumstances, I find it prudent to have this matter transferred to another jurisdiction. The case is hereby transferred to Naivasha High Court. The case will be mentioned on the 10th of this month,” Ong’udi said.
He refused to transfer the case to Nairobi as requested, saying the norm is to transfer cases to the nearest court to avoid unnecessary expenses.
In 2012, Musila and Chemutai were charged with the murder of Eldoret surveyor Eliud Yego.
The three were allegedly in a love triangle.
Kericho High Court judge Jean Gacheche had warned Chelele’s supporters against flocking to the court and threatening Musila and his lawyers.
Ong’udi addressed Chelele’s supporters who gathered outside the court.
He told them to be patient and let justice take its course.