Ebbie Samuels murder case: Court orders mental test for ex-Gatanga CCM Deputy Principal

The Kiambu Law Court on Monday, January 30 granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) homicide detectives to detain former Deputy Principal of Gatanga CCM Secondary School for seven more days.

Elizabeth Wairimu Gatimu - who appeared before Kiambu Deputy Registrar Sylvia Motari - will be detained at Gigiri Police Station as sleuths conclude investigations into the 2019 murder of Form One student Ebbie Noelle Samuels at the school.

Gatimu is expected to undergo mental assessment at the Mathare Mental Hospital before being arraigned before High Court on February 9 2023 for plea taking.

While filing to hold the suspect for more time, ODPP Prosecutor Mr. Kelwon urged the court to allow the Prosecution adequate time to compile the evidence.

Kiroko Ndegwa, the victim's lawyer, said justice for Ebbie had delayed for four years and that the suspect's arraignment rekindled the hope that justice shall prevail.

What happened?

Ebbie died mysteriously in 2019 while at the school. Reports indicate that she was assaulted by a senior staff member, who accused her of styling her hair, which was against school rules.

A postmortem conducted on her body revealed that she died of a blunt force trauma in the head, which caused hemorrhage.

"Today is the day that has shone a ray of hope in this course. It has been long four years since my daughter was brutally murdered in Gatanga CCM Secondary School, when she had just being in school for one month as a form one. She had not even experienced high school life yet," the deceased's mother said.