Gilgil MP Martha Wangari has asked the court to deny her estranged husband Peter Karanja bail, saying that the accused does not have a fixed abode.
In his application for bail, Karanja-who is a suspect in the murder of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen-claims that he has a fixed residence in Gilgil, where he lives with Ms. Wangari.
However, through her attorney George Kimani, MP Wangari denies that Karanja owns the said-house.
“The said-house No. 063 in Gilgil Town is my property. He [Karanja] has no right to claim occupancy or ownership of it. Therefore, Karanja cannot persuade the court to free him on the ground that he has a fixed abode,” says Wangari in her affidavit.
She acknowledges that she and Karanja are currently embroiled in a court case over the ownership of the house.
She claims that Karanja is trying to “illegally” occupy the house by alleging that they were married through a customary arrangement, which is false.
“That is not true. I have never been his wife. He was an acquaintance, whom I have since parted ways with, and I can prove that,” MP Martha says.
On his part, Karanja says that they got married in 2010 and were blessed with two children but their union got stormy a few years ago leading to their separation, which is yet to be ratified through a divorce.
Wangari submits that the only known abode that Karanja can claim is that of his parents at Miti Mingi area in Gilgil.
The accused’s lawyer has objected to Wangari’s application to see Karanja’s pre-trial bail report saying she has no direct or indirect interest in the Cohen murder case.
The prosecution also opposed the MP’s application, saying “it is not clear what role she wants to play in the case.”
“This [Tob Cohen murder case] is not a divorce case, it is not a land case. The probation officer has captured the marital status of the accused and the current status of the house. It is already before you for the court to make its decision,” said the prosecution.
In response, Wangari says she has a right to seek any public document from any agency citing Article 35 of the Kenyan Constitution.
“The same way the Constitution protects any other Kenyan, I do not need to be invited in any case by the prosecution,” said Wangari through her lawyer.
Karanja’s bail ruling is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th.
