John Ward: "I anticipate a very fair and open trial"

David Kadula ole Nchoko, 28, a former clerk at the Masai Mara Game Reserve was charged with murdering Ms Ward, then 28, in September 1988.

Chief Magistrate Peter Mugo said Mr Nchoko was not required to enter a plea because the attorney-general's office has yet to authorise the start of the trial.

Mr Makallah's trial was adjourned

If convicted, Mr Nchoko, who was arrested on 28 December, faces the death penalty by hanging.

The case was adjourned until 19 January. As a suspect in a capital crime, he is not eligible for bail.

Simon Makallah, 49, a former chief warden at Masai Mara during the time of Ms Ward's death, has also been charged with her murder.

Last month, High Court Judge Daniel Aganyanya postponed the start of Mr Makallah's trial until 4 Febuary without giving any reason.

Two park rangers were charged with Ms Ward's murder in 1992, but they were acquitted by the judge who criticised the police investigation and said many questions remained unanswered.

Mr Makallah and Mr Nchoko were prosecution witnesses at that trial.

Ward's mutilated and charred remains were found on 13 September 1988 in the Masai Mara near Tanzania's border seven days after she went missing.

Officials first claimed she had committed suicide or been attacked by wild animals.

Her father, John Ward, has said he believes the Kenyan Government tried to cover up the murder to protect the tourist industry.

Mr Ward, a wealthy hotelier, has since campaigned tirelessly to bring his daughters killers to justice.