Kenyan man to be charged over attacks

Police are planning to charge a Kenyan man who is the focus of an international manhunt, even though he has still to be caught and brought back to New Zealand.

Samuel Njuguna is believed to be in Kenya after his estranged wife and another man were attacked in bed in Christchurch last month.

Stephen Mwangi Maina, 38, died as a result of injuries he suffered, and nurse Lydiah Munene, 34, is recovering in hospital after being seriously injured and spending time in an induced coma.

A friend said Ms Munene was talking and receiving visitors,, but it was not clear if she would suffer any long-term effects from the head injuries she suffered.

Friends had been advised not to talk to her about the attack.

Police said it appeared Mr Njuguna went to the house where the pair were staying, and took away two children he shares with Ms Munene, aged 13 and 9, around the time of the attack.

Mr Njuguna left for Kenya the day after the attack is believed to have taken place.

Detective Inspector Greg Williams said police now had a "clear understanding of what took place".

Charges could be laid in Christchurch in Mr Njuguna's absence "in the near future", Mr Williams said.

Asked what the charges would be, he said only that they would be serious.

New Zealand authorities have been working to establish the legal grounds to have Mr Njuguna extradited.

Mr Williams would not comment on whether Kenyan authorities knew where Mr Njuguna was, but said there was "dialogue" between them and police in Christchurch.

"Until the processes are in place there, there's not a lot they can do in Kenya yet. You've got to establish to them what the case [against Mr Njuguna] is. What I can say is that we have been very pleased with the response we have had so far."

Billy Muiriri, a journalist with the Daily Nation newspaper in Kenya, told the Herald Mr Maina was buried last week at Lang'ata Cemetery, on the outskirts of Nairobi.

Mr Maina's wife and son were among the mourners, Mr Muiriri said.

Mathenge Iratho, of Christchurch's small Kenyan community, said friends had been to see Ms Munene in hospital, but it was not clear how long she would remain there.

"As of now, she's doing well. We are hoping she will have a full recovery."