Police have asked a Mavoko court to grant them 14 more days to detain nine suspects linked to the murder of Machakos County Government employee Alphonce Mbune Matee as detectives intensify investigations into the gruesome killing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said it intends to charge the suspects with murder under Section 204 of the Penal Code once investigations are complete.
The application, filed on Monday by detectives attached to Kyumbi Police Station, was heard virtually, with the court expected to rule on Thursday.
The number of suspects in custody rose to nine after detectives arrested four more people over the weekend. Five others had already been arrested last week following the discovery of Matee's body in Kyumbi, Athi River South Sub-county.
All nine suspects are being held at Kyumbi Police Station.
Matee's body was found dumped by the roadside in the Kyumbi area on June 17 after members of the public alerted police.
Officers who responded to the scene found the body of a man aged between 45 and 50 years with both hands, legs and neck tied using pieces of clothing.
Police said the deceased also had visible injuries on the back of his neck and marks on his back.
Crime scene investigators processed the area before the body was moved to Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
According to investigators, there were no signs of a struggle at the scene, leading detectives to believe the victim may have been killed elsewhere before his body was dumped in the area.
The motive for the killing has not yet been established.
Court documents seen by The Star indicate that detectives plan to charge all nine suspects with murder.
Police said those arrested include a county government employee, bar attendants, a disc jockey and a room attendant.
Investigators have also revisited a club where some of the suspects work as part of efforts to piece together the final moments before Matee's death.
Residents have speculated that Matee may have been involved in a confrontation at the establishment. However, police have not confirmed those claims or established what may have triggered the incident.
Detectives say investigations are ongoing.
