Matatu crew accused of killing motorist charged with murder

Two men belonging to Marimba Investment Sacco were on Wednesday arraigned in court and charged with murder.

Presented before high court Justice Jessy Lesit, the two middle aged men, George Irungu Maina and Ian Mbugua, are alleged to have killed Joseph Ng’ethe Kiarie on December 24th 2017.

The accused persons, whom prosecution said are fit to stand trial, did not answer to the charge since they did not have a lawyer to represent them as required by law.

The court directed that they be remanded at Industrial Area remand. The the matter will be mentioned on January 24 when they are expected to answer to the charge.

It is alleged that the deceased was allegedly beaten to death by the matatu crew on Christmas Eve in Nairobi after an altercation over a minor accident.

The former Maseno University student leader had complained that the driver of the minibus was in the wrong but he was outnumbered in his quest for compensation for the damage to his vehicle.

On Monday, the High Court declined to allow Marimba Sacco continue with their operations.

Judge Roselyn Aburili said that the court cannot review an administration Act unless all other internal mechanism set by law are fully exhausted.

Further, the judge said that the suspension letter or notice was issued within the parameter of the act in the regulation of public service vehicles.

”The appropriate statutory body that is mandated to hear the grievances regarding decision made by the authority is the transport licensing appeals board and not the high by way of judicial review,” ruled Aburili

NTSA had argued that the court noted has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter adding that the applicants failed to exhaust all the internal appeal mechanism before approaching the court.

Marimba Investment Sacco moved to court to challenge the suspension of its license which was suspended after a motorist was allegedly killed by its crew.

Marimba claims the move by NTSA is hurting their business adding that most of the PSVs were acquired on loans payable monthly.