College staffer, pharmacist arraigned over murder of deacon in Kisii

The SDA deacon was lured out of bar and stabbed.

In Summary
  • The two will however be re-arraigned for plea-taking on Friday, April 14, after police requested more time to carry out further investigations. 
  • The prosecution had early requested 14 days for their detention.
Cyprian Karuri (in jacket) and Pauline Moraa (covered in shuka) when they appeared before Magistrate Wa Kugwa Wahinya in Kisii on Tuesday April 11, 2023 for murder.
Cyprian Karuri (in jacket) and Pauline Moraa (covered in shuka) when they appeared before Magistrate Wa Kugwa Wahinya in Kisii on Tuesday April 11, 2023 for murder.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO

College staffer, Cyprian Karuri and his elderly lover, Pauline Moraa were on Tuesday arraigned at the Kisii Law Courts over the murder of a church deacon on Easter weekend. 

The two will however be re-arraigned for plea-taking on Friday, April 14, after police requested more time to carry out further investigations. 

The prosecution had early requested 14 days for their detention.

They are suspected of killing one Tomson Ndege, a deputy school principal at Mecheo Secondary in a crime of passion.

Ndege was also a deacon at Gekomu Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kisii town.

He was stabbed to death Sunday night moments after he and Moraa had emerged from a lodging at a bar in Kitutu Chache South.

The suspects were arraigned before Magistrate Wa Kugwa Wahinya.

Investigative officer Wickliffe Mburu argued that it was for the suspects' safety' that they are detained at Nyanchwa Police Station as further investigations continue. 

Karuri, 36, is cited as the first suspect in the murder.

He works as a driver at Elgon View College in Kisii while Moraa, 48, is a pharmacist at Marani Sub Hospital.

Police picked Karuri from Mwembe hours after allegedly committing the felony.

Moraa who was arrested at the scene where the stabbing took place led police to the hideout.

Her lawyer Humphrey Mageto had opposed the application to detain his client for 14 days saying being a civil servant, she is not a flight risk.

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