A man suspected of murdering his wife will spend the next 14 days in police custody after a Yala court rejected his plea to be released to organize her funeral.

George Ochieng Orwa appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Virginia Karanja following his arrest in Kanyambok village, Gem.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) successfully sought a custodial order to complete its probe into the death of Josephine Atieno Ochieng.

Prosecutor Joyce Mumu informed the court that the victim sustained a deep cut during an assault at the couple’s home.

Though she was rushed to Merirosa Health Centre and later referred to the Siaya County Referral Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.

The court heard that Orwa’s arrest was narrow; he was reportedly rescued by police from a mob of angry residents who intended to subject him to “justice” on the spot.

When asked to respond to the detention request, Orwa made a startling appeal: he asked the court for permission to go and bury his wife, claiming that as the husband, he was the only one authorized to announce the burial date to the family.

Magistrate Karanja dismissed the request, citing the prosecution’s concerns over the suspect’s safety and the risk of witness interference.

She further ordered that Orwa undergo a mental assessment at Siaya County Referral Hospital before returning to court on April 13, 2026.