Githunguri Senior Resident Magistrate Melanie Ochieng on Tuesday ruled that Rose Wanjiru and James Mbogo need to remain behind bars for their safety and to allow police conclude investigations.
“I have noted the seriousness of the alleged offence and that it may be for the protection of the suspects to be in custody as this matter has elicited a lot of public interest,” she ruled.
The State wanted 10 days to allow police conclude the probe, public interest and for safety of the accused.
The two youths were killed on Sunday night at Kwamaiko shopping centre in Kiambu County.
The bodies of the two were found dumped at a compost pit near the bar and taken to the City Mortuary.
On Monday, chaos erupted at the shopping centre forcing police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd, which broke into the bar and looted stock and furniture.
The magistrate also ruled that Mbogo be taken to hospital after he complained of being ill.
Mbogo at one time caused laughter in the courtroom after started consulting his co-accused to ask if it was okay to spend the 10 days in police custody as sought by the State.
“Do you think it’s okay?” he asked Wanjiru before he was quickly told “speak your own mind.”