- A mother surprised the Milimani court when she scolded her son in public shortly after he and his six companions were released
- New evidence led the case to an investigation, revealing events that contradicted earlier suspicions about the student’s death
- The students faced tough questions from the judge, while parents openly confronted the behaviors that put their children in danger, sparking Austin Ochieng’s mother’s pain and years of struggle.
Confusion and sadness prevailed in Milimani Court when a mother reprimanded her son, while she and six other students were released.
Source: UGC
Austin Ochieng and his friends were released after being detained for a week in connection with the death of Daystar University student Lonah Kathambi Karani.
What happened to Lonah Kathambi Karani?
The mother’s anger, delivered in front of the courtroom, turned the mood from calm to reflective as the parents grappled with the decisions that led to their children’s tragedy.
The seven, Dennis Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Moraa, Ali Kabwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi Mutembei, Austin Ochieng, and Wendy Kerubo, were arrested after Kathambi passed away during a party at Harmony Plaza Apartments in Ngara on November 23. Kathambi’s body was found on the ground floor, sparking an investigation.
However, new CCTV footage presented to the court showed that the 23-year-old fell while trying to jump from one balcony to another. According to the Department of Criminal Investigation, Austin and Lonah tried to fly together.
Austin crossed but Lonah did not. An autopsy report later confirmed that he was heavily intoxicated.
With the photos and investigative reports completed, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered the case to continue as a public inquiry, and the seven will attend as witnesses.
As Magistrate Dolphina Alego reviewed the files and prepared to release the students, she urged them to reflect on their actions, especially the role that alcohol played that night.
Others admitted that it had harmed their lives. Some refused to drink at all. Then the judge invited their parents into the conversation, and the courtroom changed.
Austin, who was with the deceased last time, expressed his feelings while expressing regret for his actions that caused the tragedy.
“I would like to apologize to my family, my aunt, my aunts, my uncles, and my mother. And personally, only a crazy person would want to go through this ordeal again. So I promise a change of life, a change of behavior,” Austin told the court.
But his mother could not hide her pain as she described years of trying and failing to steer her son away from bad behavior.
He regretted that it took Kathambi’s death for Austin to realize the error of his ways and promise to change.
The mother doubted her son’s forgiveness saying that it has always been his habit to repent before returning to his bad behavior.
“It’s sad that someone died because of the bad choices that these kids make. This Austin… we’ve told him everything we can say to him. You know someone you’ve given up on; this is this boy, this one. You know, he’s the way he is now, but everything anyone can do, he’s done with this boy. How he is now, tomorrow I don’t know, I’m sorry, tomorrow I don’t know Austin. normal,” he said as his voice trembled.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iframe%3E
He told the court that Austin had been in rehab for six months, had been saved from late-night calls, and had lost his temper regularly.
The mother asked what will happen now, and dared to tell the court what will change after that sad event. He warned the students against trying to behave like adults when even basic things like school fees are taken care of by parents.
“Go home, you will never be alone again, never, your forgiveness is somewhere along the way, because I know in one, two, three days, we will deal with the same issues again,” he emphasized.
Judge Alego listened, then addressed all the students, reminding them of the pain that their parents had to endure due to the case.
“Did you hear that Austin? That’s a parent’s pain. All of you. You see, when they talk to me I call them, not Baba Kariuki, Moraa, Ali, Kendi. You see when I know all your names now. That’s a parent’s pain,” he added.
Judge Alego concluded the mention by ordering the release of the students and ordering that the case be sent for public investigation.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
