Former mungiki leader Maina Njenga and also a pastor with Hope International Church with his deputy Rose Atieno who has since withdrawn a complaint against him and his co-accussed in a case where they are charged with attacking a policeman at the church last year. - JOHNSON NJENGA.
Njenga refutes claims of witness intimidation
Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga yesterday strongly refuted allegations that he was responsible for the intimidation of a witness in the violent robbery case against him and four others. Maina protested that the accusations by the prosecution were wild, baseless and amounted to character-assassination that was meant to prejudice the trial.
Senior Counsel Paul Muite argued that the defence team had already been provided with the list and statements of all potential witnesses and it was pointless for anyone to purport to threaten any of them. “There is no longer trial by ambush. There is no reason for anyone to feel insecure.
None of the accused persons have threatened any witness in any manner whatsoever,” he said. Muite said the State has already established the Witness Protection Agency that is responsible for the safety and security of any potential witness who may feel uncomfortable.
Further, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations was endowed with trained personnel and logistics to investigate, arrest and prosecute any suspects who interferes with witnesses. Muite, who is assisted by lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Gathii Irungu, said Maina and his co-accused were apprehensive they were unlikely to be accorded a fair and impartial trial following the remarks by the prosecution. - By PAUL MUHOHO
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