'What good does alcohol do?': Magistrate questions students in Lorna Karani death case

The students Dennis Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Mora, Ali Kabwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi Mutembei, Austin Ochieng, and Wendy Kerubo were produced before the Milimani Law Courts after police sought extended time to investigate the 23-year-old’s death.

Karani’s body was found on the ground floor of Harmony Plaza apartments in Ngara on November 23. According to an affidavit by DCI Corporal Johnes Nyangige, the deceased had been in the company of the students throughout the night.

The group was allegedly intoxicated when they arrived at the building, where they were heard singing and playing a guitar on the 12th floor.

Moments after four of them briefly left and returned to the building, a loud bang was heard.

A security guard discovered Karani’s body with head injuries, and police later recovered items believed to belong to her inside Gitonga’s apartment.

While the DCI sought 10 days to retrieve CCTV footage, analyze call data, record statements, and await an autopsy, Magistrate Alego paused the proceedings to address the students directly.

She asked them to explain what they believed alcohol contributed to their lives, given the tragic circumstances surrounding the night.

Some of the students admitted there was no benefit at all, while others denied consuming alcohol. 

The magistrate then invited their parents to speak, prompting emotional statements of disappointment, worry, and grief, especially toward the deceased’s family.

Alego urged the students to reflect on their choices and apologise to their parents for the distress caused.

She said she would issue directions on the detention application after reviewing the case privately.

The court has granted police seven days to continue detaining the suspects at Parklands Police Station as investigations proceed.