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British man charged with murder of Kenyan woman in Karen


A British man, who was arrested after a woman died at his residence in Karen from gunshot wounds, has been charged in court with murder.

Richard Alden, 53, who appeared before High Court Judge Stella Mutuku, will be held in custody until June 16 when his application for bail will be heard.

He denied killing Grace Wangeci Kinyanjui, 42, at Windy Ridge Road, Karen on June 4.

Initially, Mr Alden had told the police that the woman accidentally shot herself with his Glock pistol but detectives have since ruled out this theory and are instead pressing murder charges against the accused.

In an affidavit served to the prosecution in court on Friday morning, the suspect applied for bond as he “is father of three children and has an ailing mother who depends on him.”

BOND APPLICATION

“I am presently facing allegations of murder and however grave the allegations may be it cannot be a basis to deny me my basic fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the constitution,” Mr Alden said in a sworn affidavit.

“My family solely depends on me and they will suffer if I continue to be detained,” Mr Alden further stated.

Defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta said Mr Alden has been in custody since June 4 when he was arrested and asked the court to urgently consider his client’s bond application.

Mr Ombeta said his client is willing to abide by any conditions the court may peg on the bond terms.

The prosecution told the court that Mr Alden had earlier on been taken for psychiatric examination and declared fit to stand trial.

Police launched a murder inquiry after doctors reportedly established that the deceased’s injuries suggested that she might have been assaulted.