Authorities have freed seven university students who had been in custody for several days as part of investigations into the death of their schoolmate, Lorna Kathambi Karani.
Their release followed the emergence of new security camera recordings indicating that she slipped and fell while trying to move from one balcony to another.
The video was shown at the Milimani Law Courts during a mention, where it clarified the circumstances of the fall, which occurred at night.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told the court that the inquiry phase was over and that the case would now be handled through a public inquest, with the seven set to participate as witnesses.
The group Dennis Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Mora, Ali Kabwana Kamaku, Precious Kendi Mutembei, Austin Ochieng, and Wendy Kerubo had been detained as part of the probe into the death of the 23-year-old Daystar University student, who passed away during a social gathering.
Karani was found dead on the ground floor of Harmony Plaza Apartments in Ngara on November 23.
A sworn statement by DCI officer Johnes Nyangige stated that she had spent the evening with the students and arrived at the premises while the group was under the influence of alcohol.
Neighbours recounted that the group had been heard on the 12th floor singing and playing guitar earlier that night.
According to reports, a loud sound was heard moments after four members of the group stepped out briefly before returning.
A security guard later found Karani’s body on the lower level.Police also found items believed to belong to her inside Gitonga’s house.
Investigators had asked for 10 more days to obtain additional surveillance recordings, analyse phone data, collect more statements, and await the post-mortem findings.
During the court session, Magistrate Dolphina Alego questioned the students about their behaviour, particularly their experiences during the week they spent sober while in custody.
Some acknowledged that drinking had affected their lives, while others rejected that idea.
She later asked the parents of the students to speak, and many expressed sadness and frustration, especially considering the loss experienced by Karani’s family.
After studying the investigation file, the magistrate brought the matter to a close and directed that the students be released.
