The High Court Friday dismissed Gilgil MP Martha Wangari’s request to be enjoined in the murder case of Dutch national Tob Cohen.
MP Wangari had requested the court to be allowed to make statements about her estranged husband Peter Karanja, one of the suspects in the tycoon’s murder.
Justice Daniel Ogembo struck out the MP’s application on the grounds that she is not a party to the case.
The prosecution, defense, and the victim’s lawyers also objected to MP Wangari’s request saying she was a stranger in the case.
Through her lawyer George Kimani, Wangari opposed the release of Karanja on bail, stating that he does not have a fixed abode and the house he claimed was his belongs to her.
“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,” said Wangari in her affidavit.
She claimed that Karanja was 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 noted.
On his part, Karanja said 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 claimed that the only known abode that Karanja can claim is that of his parents at Miti Mingi area in Gilgil.
She added that if the court releases Karanja on bail, he should be asked to reside in his parents’ home.
Karanja, who is accused of helping Sarah Wairimu eliminate her husband Cohen, will know his bail fate on October 29th.
Wairimu was charged with Cohen’s murder early this month and was released on a cash bail of Sh2 million.
