Embu: Farmhand charged for allegedly killing co-worker, burying body and planting banana tree

A farm hand was on Wednesday charged with the murder of his fellow worker, whose body was allegedly found buried on a farm in Gichaverere Village, Itabua, Embu County.

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Josephat Kamenchu was arraigned before the Embu Law Courts and charged with killing Lawrence Muriuki Njiru contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.

Kamenchu denied the charge and told the court that he had been assaulted while in police custody.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Peninah Mwaniki told the court that Kamenchu and the deceased had been working on a farm when the accused allegedly hacked Njiru to death in circumstances that are yet to be established.

The prosecution further alleged that Kamenchu concealed the body by burying it on the farm before planting a banana tree over the spot.

The body was later discovered after the ground where it had allegedly been buried sank.

Following Kamenchu's allegations that he had been assaulted while in police custody, the court directed that he undergo a medical examination and that a report on his condition be filed in court.