Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- A dramatic twist has emerged in the case of John Kiama Wambua, a 29-year-old carpenter accused of murdering his wife and dismembering her body.

Wambua has sensationally claimed in court that he was forced by police to sign a pre-written confession.

The young man was arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Joy Fridah Munani, his 19-year-old wife, at their home in Huruma Estate, Nairobi.

Authorities alleged that he killed Munani, dismembered her body, and packed some of her remains in a bag in an attempt to flee.

Following his arrest, he was placed in detention for 21 days as detectives pieced together evidence.

Appearing before Milimani Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthie on Monday, February 19, Wambua denied ever admitting to the crime.

The 29-year-old man insisted that officers at Huruma Police Station coerced him into signing a statement.

"Your honour, I have a problem. l pray to the court to help me because I was forced to sign a statement. It did not come from me. I did not write it. I did not volunteer the statement l was compelled to sign it," Wambua pleaded with the magistrate.

However, with investigations now complete, the prosecution is awaiting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga’s decision on whether to formally charge Wambua with murder.

During Monday’s proceedings, the investigating officer requested an additional 14 days to detain the suspect, stating that the case file had been submitted to the DPP’s office for review on February 13.

"Your honour, investigations are complete, and we submitted the file to the DPP’s office on February 13. We seek two more weeks to hold the suspect as we await their review," the officer told the court.

Nyaguthie granted the request, ruling that the suspect will remain in custody for 14 more days as the DPP makes a decision.

"I permit the police to hold the suspect for two more weeks. If the DPP decides to charge him, the trial court will address his claim of coercion regarding the statement and provide directions accordingly. Today’s proceedings are only for confirming whether investigations are complete," she stated.

Despite the shocking revelations, Wambua remained composed and led the officers to his single-room residence, where additional body parts were hidden beneath the bed.

Inside his room, investigators recovered a kitchen knife believed to have been the murder weapon, along with the victim’s clothes.

Detectives said that some body parts were still unaccounted for, sparking a broader search and further forensic examination.

Crime scene investigators processed the gruesome scene as authorities intensified efforts to understand the motive behind the brutal killing.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke