Images of a couple accused of playing a role in the shocking murder of a Presbyterian Church minister have emerged after they were arraigned before a Nakuru court, shedding new light on a case that has left worshippers and residents of Bahati Sub-county searching for answers.
Beryl Nafula Otenyo and her husband, Felix Odinga Okumu, appeared before the Nakuru Law Courts facing serious charges linked to the death of Reverend Julius Ndumia, a respected cleric who served at the PCEA Tabuga Parish. The pair stood before Chief Magistrate Tito Gesora and denied all allegations leveled against them.
The court proceedings attracted keen interest as investigators continue piecing together what transpired on the day the clergyman met his tragic end. According to documents presented before the court, the alleged incident occurred on May 4 at the church premises, where Rev. Ndumia is said to have been attacked by a group of assailants.
Prosecutors told the court that the couple, together with several other suspects who are still at large, allegedly confronted the reverend while armed with crude weapons. The attack is said to have escalated into a violent robbery that ultimately claimed the life of the church leader.
Investigators further allege that during the incident, the attackers made away with a Samsung Galaxy A16 mobile phone belonging to the reverend. The device reportedly contained Safaricom, Airtel, and Faiba SIM cards and was valued at KSh22,500.
In addition to the phone, the prosecution claims that KSh162,000 was fraudulently withdrawn through M-Pesa transactions after the attack. The alleged theft has raised questions about whether the perpetrators carefully planned the robbery before carrying it out.
The couple is also facing a separate charge of possessing stolen property. Prosecutors informed the court that investigators recovered a mobile phone belonging to Bernard Nyamwaka, a security guard who was on duty at the church during the incident. The handset is valued at approximately KSh18,500.
As the hearing progressed, the court considered arguments regarding whether the suspects should remain in custody or be released on bond. Magistrate Gesora noted that the prosecution had not presented evidence showing that the accused persons posed a danger to witnesses or members of the public. The court also found no indication that their safety would be at risk if they were released pending trial.
Consequently, the magistrate granted each suspect a bond of KSh300,000 with an alternative cash bail of KSh200,000.
In a move aimed at ensuring a fair trial, the court further directed the legal aid committee to appoint legal representation for the accused, citing the gravity of the charges they face.
Meanwhile, the death of Rev. Ndumia continues to cast a shadow over the PCEA Tabuga Parish community. Friends, family members, and congregants have been struggling to come to terms with the loss of a man many described as a devoted servant of God who dedicated his life to ministry and community service.
The case remains under active investigation as detectives pursue other suspects believed to have been involved in the attack. The matter will return to court on June 17 for a pre-trial conference, where investigators are expected to provide an update on the progress of the probe.
For now, the mystery surrounding the reverend’s death remains far from over, with many hoping the ongoing court process will finally reveal what happened on that fateful day and deliver justice for the slain church leader.
