A man suspected of being a serial killer was Wednesday charged with murder in Kisumu.
Mr Harrison “Boy” Okumu was arrested after human remains were found in and around his compound.
He denied the murder charges. He is also facing other counts.
The court heard that Mr Okumu was in the right frame of mind to stand trial.
“A mental examination revealed he was well-kept, his speech was coherent and he had no perpetual disturbances,” reads a report signed by Dr A.O. Onyango of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The 25-year-old was charged with the murder of Mr Shem Nyambok at Miguye village between July 25 and August 2.
Prosecutor Douglas Ogoti told the court that 23 witnesses would testify and asked for two days of continuous hearing.
The case will be mentioned on October 24, when the judge will also allocate time for the two-day hearing.
Mr Okumu’s State-appointed lawyer, Ms Margaret Opondo, urged the court to order that her client be locked up in an isolated prison block because he has received death threats.
“There has been a lot of publicity and he has received death threats,” she said.
She also asked Mr Okumu’s personal items be released. She further wants him to be released on bond.
But the prosecution said she had not specified who was threatening Mr Okumu’s life.
Mr Ogoti also said Ms Opondo did not say in which police station Mr Okumu’s personal effects were being held and argued that Mr Okumu should not be granted bond since he was arrested trying to flee and that investigations were ongoing.
The judge ordered prison officials to ensure the safety of the accused and directed the lawyer to make a formal application for bond.
In another murder case facing Mr Okumu, Mr Ogoti said a mental check-up had not been completed and neither had a lawyer been appointed.
The judge ordered the court deputy registrar Phyllis Shinyada to appoint a lawyer and organise for another mental check-up.
The accused will be back in court on September 10.
Source: Daily Nation
