Magistrate Rebukes Students Over Alcohol Use in Case of Daystar Student’s Death
According to an affidavit by DCI Corporal Johnes Nyangige, she had been in the company of the seven students throughout the night
A Nairobi court momentarily turned from legal proceedings to a pointed moral admonition on Tuesday, as Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego challenged seven university students to explain the “benefits of alcohol” during a hearing over the death of Daystar University student Lorna Kathambi Karani
The students Dennis Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Mora, Ali Kabwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi Mutembei, Austin Ochieng, and Wendy Kerubo were presented before the Milimani Law Courts, where police sought additional time to investigate the 23-year-old’s death
Karani’s body was found on the ground floor of Harmony Plaza apartments in Ngara on November 23
According to an affidavit by DCI Corporal Johnes Nyangige, she had been in the company of the seven students throughout the night
Investigators say the group appeared intoxicated when they arrived at the building, where they were heard singing and playing a guitar on the 12th floor
Moments after four of them briefly left and returned, a loud bang was reported
A security guard later discovered Karani’s body with head injuries. Police recovered items believed to belong to her inside Gitonga’s apartment
While the DCI requested 10 days to retrieve CCTV footage, analyze call records, record statements, and await an autopsy, Magistrate Alego paused the application to address the suspects directly
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She questioned them on what alcohol added to their lives, given the tragic events of the night. Some admitted it had no benefit; others denied drinking
Parents of the students were then invited to speak, expressing worry, disappointment, and grief particularly in regard to the deceased’s family
Alego urged the students to reflect on their choices and apologise to their parents for the distress caused
The court later granted police seven days to continue detaining the suspects at Parklands Police Station as investigations continue
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
