Kenya Rangers Charged in ’88 Death of Briton

Two park rangers were charged with murder Wednesday in the 1988 slaying, dismemberment and burning of a young British tourist in one of Kenya’s best-known game sanctuaries.

Jonah T. Magiroi, 28, and Peter M. Kipeen, 26, both Kenyans, remained silent during a court appearance on charges of murdering Julie Anne Ward, an amateur wildlife photographer, in the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

The prosecution told Chief Magistrate George Omondi-Tunya that documents detailing the charges were incomplete, and the two were not required to enter pleas. They were ordered held for a further court appearance on Feb. 27. The two face the death penalty if convicted.

Ward’s charred lower left leg and lower jaw were found in the sprawling game reserve in southwestern Kenya on Sept. 13, 1988, a week after she was reported missing. A vehicle she had rented was found abandoned about 10 miles from her remains.

Police initially said the woman had been killed by wild animals as she set out on foot from her disabled vehicle to seek help, but they were unable to explain the burning of her remains.

Ward’s father, John Ward, insisted that his daughter was murdered, and he pursued his own investigation. His efforts led to a 23-day inquest in Nairobi in 1989. The presiding magistrate held that Ward had been murdered but failed to establish how or by whom. He ordered the case reopened.

Two Scotland Yard detectives who were invited to help in the renewed investigation recommended in March, 1990, that two unidentified rangers be charged with the murder. They said the rangers were on duty at the time Ward disappeared and were in an area not far from where her remains were discovered.

But Kenya Atty. Gen. Mathew G. Muli said the detectives had not provided enough evidence and asked them to continue their probe. They submitted a final report in September.

Magiroi and Kipeen were charged after Muli announced Tuesday that he had ordered their prosecution on the basis of the Scotland Yard report.