Mathew Lempurkel fails to take plea in Tristan Voorspuy case

Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel has failed to plead to charges in the murder of British rancher Tristan Voorspuy.

Mr Lempurkel appeared in a Nanyuki court on Thursday morning but did not plead after prosecutors said they were not ready to proceed with the case.

EVIDENCE

“We are asking for 10 days to have the investigators gather more evidence against the suspect,” said prosecutor Lucas Tanui.

“I have been in touch with his lawyer James Orengo and we have agreed that the order to have the legislator report to the investigators three times a week be suspended”.

Nanyuki Principal Magistrate Waititu Gichimu ruled that Mr Lempurkel appear again on April 10 but agreed to lift the order that he report to criminal investigators three times a week.

Nanyuki lawyer John Abwuor was holding brief for Mr Orengo, who was not present in court on Thursday.

The suspension of the directive to report to the DCI came as a big relief to Mr Lempurkel.

The orders had technically confined him within the vicinity of Nanyuki town, since he could not run business outside the region and comply with the tough conditions imposed on him.

BLOCKED

On Thursday, dozens of his supporters clad in traditional Samburu shukas milled outside the court after they were denied entry owing to limited space.

They welcomed the lifting of the orders for the ODM legislator to report to DCI offices three times a week.

Mr Lempurkel is the second suspect in the murder of Mr Voorspuy, who was shot dead on March 5 at his Sosian Ranch.

The other suspect, Samson Lokayi, is detained at the Nyahururu Police Station after investigators applied for more time to gather evidence.

Mr Lokayi is scheduled to appear in the Nanyuki High Court on April 4 to take plea.

The Nanyuki court on March 8 released Mr Lempurkel on Sh200,000 cash bail to give police more time to investigate the murder.