Family of Elderly Murder Suspect Decries Delays in Court Proceedings
The relatives voiced their concerns at the Naivasha Law Courts, noting that nearly two years since the case was filed, it is yet to proceed to trial.
Photo/Courtesy.
By Juliet Jerotich
The family of a 72-year-old man facing conspiracy to commit murder charges has expressed frustration over the slow progress of the case, accusing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) of dragging its feet.
The relatives voiced their concerns at the Naivasha Law Courts, noting that nearly two years since the case was filed, it is yet to proceed to trial. They also raised alarm over alleged intimidation and the mysterious withdrawal of charges against key suspects.
This comes as the prosecution requested an additional 30 days to review the case file before providing further direction.
The accused, Francis Muya, is charged with orchestrating the planned killings of five family members. Among those implicated but yet to be arrested are his daughter and her fiancé, who are believed to be residing in the United States.
According to the charge sheet, between March 1 and May 2, 2024, Muya is alleged to have conspired with unnamed individuals to hire hitmen at a cost exceeding Ksh.3 million to eliminate his estranged wife, Rose Njeri Muya.
He is also accused of plotting the deaths of his children: Antony Mwaura, Martin Muya, Alex Muya, and Oprah Muya.
Representing the family, lawyer Mbugua Macharia urged the court to intervene and hold the prosecution accountable for repeatedly failing to submit the reviewed file, which has caused unnecessary delays.
Speaking before Senior Resident Magistrate Wilson Rading, Macharia emphasized the urgency of moving the case forward, citing public interest and the family’s prolonged wait for justice. He asked the court to compel the ODPP to complete its review within the next two weeks.
He told the court that although the accused had already taken plea, the matter had stalled because of prosecutorial inaction.
The magistrate scheduled a ruling on the matter for August 11, 2025.
Court records allege that Muya, together with his daughter and her husband, plotted to eliminate family members in order to seize ownership of a valuable parcel of land in Molo town.
According to the prosecution’s documents, the conspiracy began on March 1, 2024, with a meeting between Muya, his daughter, and two alleged hitmen at a hotel in Nakuru.
One of the alleged assassins, Paul Waithaka, has since turned State witness. In his sworn affidavit, Waithaka claims that the motive behind the murder plan was to force the mother and her children to relinquish the contested land through coercion, and then have them killed to prevent any legal backlash.
Waithaka’s statement further reveals that the group agreed on a Ksh.1.7 million payout for the job, with the funds to be provided by the father and daughter. The daughter reportedly returned from the U.S. to finalize the arrangements.
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