A sensational family murder conspiracy case in Naivasha has taken a dramatic turn after the presiding magistrate recused himself, citing increased public pressure and intense media scrutiny.
Naivasha Senior Resident Magistrate Wilson Rading on Monday stepped aside from the case involving 73-year-old farmer Francis Muya, who stands accused of orchestrating a plot to murder five members of his immediate family.
The magistrate directed that the matter be referred to the Principal Magistrate for further directions.
Muya is facing five counts of conspiracy to commit murder, with the alleged targets being his estranged wife Rose Njeri Muya, sons Antony Mwaura, Martin Muya, Alex Muya, and daughter Oprah Muya.
Prosecutors allege that between March 1 and May 2, 2024, Muya conspired with unidentified accomplices to hire contract killers for sh 3.1 million to eliminate his family members in a bid to seize a prime piece of land in Molo town.
According to court documents, Muya’s daughter and her fiancé both reportedly based in the United States are also wanted in connection with the plot.
In a sworn affidavit, State witness Paul Waithaka alleged that Muya and his daughter met two hitmen at a hotel in Nakuru, where they discussed kidnapping and forcing the victims to transfer ownership of the Molo plot before killing them.
“They wanted us to kidnap the mother, the three sons and a daughter, force them to transfer the plot to their name and later kill them,” Waithaka claimed. The daughter allegedly flew in from the U.S. to finalize payment.
Delivering his decision virtually, Magistrate Rading said:
“It’s the right for anyone to make noises and for justice to be done. I recuse myself from this case and direct that the file be placed before the Principal Magistrate for directions.”
He added that protests by family members over the court’s handling of the matter had influenced his decision to step down.
Outside the Naivasha Law Courts, the family’s lawyer Mbugua Macharia welcomed the move, saying the case had been dormant for over a year.
“The magistrate has recused himself and we welcome the decision. The case has completely stalled, and we now await directions from the Principal Magistrate,” he said.
Macharia also revealed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had previously recalled the case file, and repeated adjournments had delayed progress.
The case now awaits reassignment and fresh directions as pressure mounts for justice in one of the most shocking family-related criminal cases in recent Kenyan history.
