- Riziki Cherono is facing two counts of murder.
- The alleged crime happened on the night of June 4 in Shanzu, Mombasa county.
Image: THE STAR
The wife of slain Dutch businessman Herman Rouwenhorst has been released on bond.
Riziki Cherono, who is facing two counts of murder - that of her husband and their night guard, Evans Bokoro - was granted bond of Sh2 million with two sureties of similar amount.
The alleged crime happened on the night of June 4 in Shanzu, Mombasa county. The Dutchman was struck with a blunt object, then strangled.
Cherono and Rouwenhorst are said to have been married for more than 12 years.
However, Rouwenhorst allegedly wanted to divorce the mother of his two children.
Judge Anne Onginjo however put tough restrictions on Cherono who has been in custody since July.
Onginjo issued restraining orders against the accused person and refrained her from contacting or attempting to get in touch with her two children who are key witnesses.
She was further barred from going to the Roco Apartments where the children live.
“The accused person should go and reside with her mother in Uasin Gishu county and is expected to report to its county DCI offices every week,” she said.
While granting her bail, judge Onginjo said the prosecution did not tender enough evidence as grounds on why the accused person should be denied bail.
Onginjo said the prosecution relied on baseless allegations in opposing the bond application.
She said the prosecution should have investigated the allegation on double marriage of Cherono before presenting the same before court while claiming the accused person was untrustworthy.
The prosecution had produced a marriage certificate claiming Cherono was married to Rouwenhorst and his brother.
The judge further said the prosecution had not proven that the accused person had attempted to contact or intimidate the key witnesses who are her biological children.
The matter will be coming up on October 12 for consolidation where Cherono’s case is expected to be merged with a second matter where a couple is facing similar charges.
Timothy Omondi and Mary Nekesa are facing two counts each of murdering Rouwenhorst and his night guard.
The couple, who were charged last week, pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.