A GSU officer believed to have been part of a gang that killed a woman and her daughter in Katani, Machakos over the weekend has confessed to the murders.
Appearing before Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate Muthoni Nzibe, Antony Kilonzo Sammy said he decided to confess to killing businesswoman Purity Wanjiru, 35, and her mother Anne Gatiti, 60, after interrogation by detectives.
“As a police officer when l was as interrogated by the investigators, l decided to confess. I was approached by a friend to kill the woman,” said Kilonzo.
But the magistrate stopped his confession midway, telling him that he needs legal representation.
Further, Nzibe ordered the suspect to be held at Kilimani Police Station for 21 days to allow police complete investigations into the murders.
Kilonzo will also undergo a mental health test to ascertain whether he is fit to stand trial.
While seeking to detain the suspect further, investigations officer, Ezekiel Ngode, told the court that the GSU officer has already led them to a hideout where they recovered two rifles used in the murders.
Ngode said that the GSU officer also volunteered information that will help them seize more suspects who have since escaped to Mombasa, Kisii, Busia and Murang’a counties.
Wanjiru’s husband is still admitted to hospital nursing serious injuries and police plan to organise an identification parade once he recovers.
“That the suspect if positively identified will be charged with the offences of murder and robbery with violence,” said Ngode.
The court was informed that on October 26, 2019 at about 9.30 pm, the victims were headed home within Katani area from their Mlolongo Wines and Spirits shop when they were ambushed by five armed gunmen.
The gunmen waylaid them near their home, just outside their gate. The gangsters fatally shot the two women and seriously injured the man, Wanjiru’s husband.
The investigating officer told the court that Kilonzo, who is attached to GSU Embakasi B Campus Garrison, was found admitted to Komarock Modern Hospital with a gunshot wound.
He allegedly lied to the hospital administration that he had accidentally shot himself while on duty inside the GSU camp.
“That upon reporting to the relevant authorities by the hospital administration, it was later established that the suspect had absented himself from duties since October 23, 2019, and his whereabouts were unknown,” said the officer.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday by Special Crimes Prevention Unit.