A Nairobi boda boda rider has been acquitted of murder charges following a six-year legal battle, bringing to an end a case that raised concerns over police investigations, alleged wrongful prosecution and access to justice.

Peter Weru, 26, who was accused of killing his neighbour, Jackson Mwai Chege, in Dandora, Nairobi, was cleared by High Court Judge Kanyi Kimondo after the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Weru had been charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which arose from the death of Mwai in September 2020.

According to International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya, which supported Weru throughout the trial, the murder accusation followed a family property dispute involving the deceased and his brother, identified as Kinuthia.

IJM said Mwai had been involved in a violent confrontation with his brother over inheritance issues, during which Kinuthia allegedly stabbed him before fleeing and implicating Weru in the killing.

The organisation claimed that the accusation was linked to an earlier disagreement between Weru and the deceased over the alleged theft of Weru's motorcycle, approximately three years before the incident.

Following Mwai's death, a group of boda boda riders reportedly raided Weru's home, looting and destroying property while he was away at work.

However, when Weru approached police to report the destruction of his property, he was instead arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

IJM further alleged that investigators recovered a knife and blood-stained clothing from the scene and initially detained Kinuthia, but released him the following day. He reportedly disappeared thereafter.

During the trial, the prosecution maintained that it had sufficient evidence to link Weru to the killing, relying on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence.

The prosecution, represented by Ms Kigira, argued that the evidence established a case requiring Weru to respond to the allegations.

However, defence lawyer Janice Muchemi challenged the reliability of the prosecution's evidence, arguing that it failed to establish who inflicted the fatal injuries or precisely when and where the assault occurred.

She maintained that the case was built on weak circumstantial evidence that did not conclusively connect her client to the killing.

The prosecution had lined up nine witnesses, with five having testified before the trial was taken over by Justice Kimondo.

In March 2024, the court rejected Weru's application to recall witnesses who had testified before the previous judge, directing that the trial proceed from where it had reached.

The defence subsequently continued challenging the prosecution's account, questioning the investigation and the evidence linking Weru to the alleged offence.

According to IJM, the court ultimately found that the prosecution had not established Weru's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in his acquittal.

Six years of uncertainty

IJM Kenya said it first encountered Weru's case during prison visits in 2021, when he was being held in remand custody and was unable to raise bail.

The organisation subsequently provided legal representation and helped him secure his release on bail pending trial.

Beyond legal assistance, IJM offered psychosocial support, family counselling and economic empowerment assistance to help Weru and his family cope with the prolonged proceedings.

The support included repairing his motorcycle to enable him to resume earning a livelihood while awaiting the outcome of the case.

“An acquittal in a murder trial is never easy. When we first met Peter in prison, he couldn't meet bail, and we faced a lot of challenges getting information from the investigation side,” said Muchemi.

“But our team remained dedicated, we cast doubt on the prosecution case, and today justice has prevailed. Our client walks free, cleared of all murder charges.”

IJM Kenya Survivor Services staff member Mary Okello said the acquittal marked an important turning point for Weru and his family, who had endured years of emotional and financial hardship.

“For Peter and his family, today's judgment is more than a legal victory. It is the restoration of hope after years of uncertainty, separation, and hardship,” Okello said.

“We celebrate this outcome with Peter and remain grateful for his resilience throughout the long wait for justice.”

Weru, his wife Aisha and their three children are now seeking to rebuild their lives after years of uncertainty surrounding the criminal proceedings.

IJM Kenya said the case underscored the importance of thorough criminal investigations, fair trial protections and accountability within the justice system.

The organisation reiterated its commitment to working with government institutions and justice sector actors to strengthen access to justice and protect the rights of vulnerable people facing criminal prosecution.