“Do not set foot on your motherland… in case you come, please come with an extra coffin,” read the message which was allegedly sent on February 2/WANJIRU MACHARIA
NAKURU, Kenya, Feb 5 – A man said to be a cousin of Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju was Monday charged with threatening to kill the politician.
Richard Aketch allegedly sent Tuju a text message warning him against going to Nyanza, failure to which he would kill him.
“Do not set foot on your motherland… in case you come, please come with an extra coffin,” read the message which was allegedly sent on February 2.
Police say the cousins differed on phone before Aketch – who was arrested at a hideout in Eldoret – sent the message.
He was arrested by Flying Squad police officers and moved to Nakuru Central Police Station where he was detained and charged before Senior Principal Magistrate Liz Gicheha.
Prosecutor Hillary Songoyo asked the court not to release the suspect on bond since investigations were not complete.
The accused person’s lawyers lead by advocate Steve Kabita objected to prosecution plea to remand their client saying that Aketch had already surrendered the phone he used to send the message to the police.
Kabita claimed that Tuju wanted to use his position to subvert justice.
“The two exchanged harsh words through the phone and Tuju should also be in court for a similar offence,” said Kabita.
Aketch denied the charge and accused the police of denying him food and other fundamental rights.
Nakuru DCI Jeremiah Musyoki who was present in court dismissed the claims by Aketch as false.
“Breakfast and supper has been given to him by officers from his time of arrest. His family and advocates have been there and the allegations are not true,” said Musyoki.
The court ordered that Aketch be remanded at the Nakuru Central Police Station until February 9 when the case will be mentioned.
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