A Nakuru High Court has stopped criminal proceedings against Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer Captain Edwin Kaunga after finding him unfit to stand trial for the murder of his wife, 29-year-old Annita Mugweru.
Justice Patricia Gichohi ruled that Kaunga could not proceed to take plea after medical evaluations determined that he was mentally unfit.
The court consequently ordered that he be committed to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation.
Nakuru court sends captain Kiunga to Mathari after a mental fitness ruling. Photo: Courtesy.
Court records indicate that the incident took place earlier this month at the couple’s home in Nakuru County, where prosecutors allege the KDF officer fatally attacked his wife during a domestic altercation.
Mugweru sustained fatal injuries in the incident, according to the prosecution’s account presented in court.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the family’s lawyer, Elizabeth Ochieng, confirmed that the plea was halted following the court’s directive for Kiunga’s admission to Mathari Hospital until he is deemed fit to stand trial.
“We came for plea taking in the matter of the Republic versus Edwin Muthoni Kaunga, and unfortunately plea did not proceed as it was deferred because the accused person was found unfit to take plea, bearing in mind that he has a mental issue,” she noted.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned on June 4 for a review of his mental condition and compliance with medical recommendations.
