Richard Aketch, a cousin to Raphael Tuju was on Monday charged in Nakuru High Court after he threatened via a text message, to kill the Jubilee Party Secretary General.
Mr Aketch allegedly sent Mr Tuju a text message warning him against going to Nyanza. his homeland, failure to which he ‘would kill him’. He advised the former journalist to carry an 'extra coffin in case he would go.'
“Do not set foot on your motherland… in case you come, please come with an extra coffin,” read the alleged message which was sent to Mr Tuju on February 2.
In the submissions in court, the police said the two cousins differed on phone before the accused, Mr Aketch sent the venomous text.
The suspect has been hiding in Eldoret where he was apprehended by the Flying Squad officers and moved to Nakuru Central Police Station where he was detained and charged before Senior Principal Magistrate Liz Gicheha. Prosecutor Hillary Songoyo asked the court not to release the suspect on bond since investigations were not complete.
playRichard Aketch. He send threatening message to Raphael Tuju and was charged in Nakuru on Monday over the texts. (Courtesy)
The accused person’s lawyers lead by advocate Steve Kabita objected to prosecution plea to remand their client saying that Aketch had already surrendered the phone he used to send the message to the police. Kabita claimed that Tuju wanted to use his position to subvert justice.
“The two exchanged harsh words through the phone and Tuju should also be in court for a similar offence,” said Kabita.
Aketch denied the charge and accused the police of denying him food and other fundamental rights. Nakuru DCI Jeremiah Musyoki who was present in court dismissed the claims by Aketch as false.
“Breakfast and supper has been given to him by officers from his time of arrest. His family and advocates have been there and the allegations are not true,” said Musyoki.
The court ordered that Aketch be remanded at the Nakuru Central Police Station until February 9 when the case will be mentioned.
Booed at funeral
Meanwhile, Mr Tuju over the weekend was forced to prematurely end his speech at a funeral in in Rarieda, Siaya County after mourners castigated his remarks about Nasa leader Raila Odinga.
The Jubilee Secretary General termed Nasa leader Raila Odinga's "oath" a mockery and inconsequential.
"When I was a kid I used to play ‘kalongolongo’ (a children’s cooking game). Now that I have grown up you don't expect me to play the same game. The swearing in was like ‘kalongolongo’," he said.
He was forced to cut short his speech as angry mourners jeered him and walked out of the funeral of former Ambassador Rateng' Ogego’s mother in Aram market.
