The High Court has ordered three men charged with the brutal killing of three young men in Machakos to remain in prison for another 30 days as it considers whether they should be released on bail.
Christopher Mwenda Robert, Dominic Muinde Paul and Francis Mutinda Kimeu denied three counts of murder when they appeared before High Court Judge Josephine Mong'are over the deaths of Charles Kioko Mutiso, Kennedy Katuu Muthungu and Stanley Mbithi Muthungu during the May 31, 2026 incident in Machakos town.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Mong'are directed that the three remain at Machakos GK Prison while a probation report is prepared to help determine whether they qualify for bail or bond.
The prosecution and lawyers representing the victims' families urged the court not to release the accused, saying doing so could affect the ongoing case.
State Counsel Dennis Mang'are opposed the bail application, relying on an affidavit sworn by investigating officer DCIO Henry Rabala. The prosecution argued that releasing the accused could interfere with investigations.
The victims' lawyer, Advocate Mutava Musyoki, also opposed their release, telling the court the accused posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses as well as investigations.
Lawyer Gift Muteti, representing the three accused, asked the court to grant them favourable bail or bond terms.
Justice Mong'are ordered probation officers to file their report within 30 days. She also directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to file an affidavit setting out its objections to bail before the defence files its response ahead of the court's determination.
The matter will be mentioned on September 7, 2026, to confirm compliance with the court's directions. The hearing has been fixed for June 7, 8 and 9, 2027.
Mwenda, Muinde and Mutinda are among six people who were initially arrested following the killings. However, a Machakos court last month released Keith Mutuku Muli, Esther Mumbua Mwololo and Yussuf Said after finding there was insufficient evidence to charge them.
The remaining three were later committed to the High Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions approved murder charges against them.
The charges arise from the deaths of Kennedy Mutiso, 29, his younger brother Stanley Muthungu, 22, and their friend Charles Mutiso, 25, who were attacked by a mob and burned to death in Machakos town on the night of May 31.
Early reports claimed the three had attempted to rob a miraa trader after pretending to be passengers. Investigators later alleged they had instead been walking home after watching the UEFA Champions League final when one of them was hit by a Probox vehicle.
Investigators claim Christopher Mwenda, who was driving the vehicle, falsely raised an alarm that he was under attack by carjackers, prompting boda boda riders and members of the public to pursue the three men.
The victims were allegedly assaulted, soaked in petrol and set on fire before police opened investigations that led to the arrest of the suspects.