15 suspects in Raila's chopper attack case freed
By Caroline Gatwiri
On April 1, 2022, 17 people were arrested in connection to the stoning of ODM leader Raila Odinga's chopper as he attended the burial of prominent Uasin Gishu farmer Mzee Jackson Kibor.
15 out of the 17 suspects were freed on Wednesday, April 13, however, the prosecution said that it had established evidence against the 2 other suspects since identified as Abednego Kiptanui and Kenneth Kipkosgei.
Senior Eldoret Resident Magistrate Emily Kigen on Wednesday freed the 15 suspects for lack of sufficient evidence to implicate them. The 2 suspects Abednego and Kenneth are expected to be charged in the afternoon.
The investigating officer said the prosecution was given enough evidence to sustain trial against the two.
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Collage image of the chopper. |Courtesy| Junet Mohamed/Babu Owino Twitter|[/caption]
The prosecution which was led by Jamlek Mureithi had the suspects detained for fourteen days at Eldoret Police station to allow for the conclusion of the investigation. Initial investigations had revealed that some of the suspects were sponsored and ferried to the burial from different parts of the county.
The seventeen suspects who are set to be charged with attempted murder, incitement, destruction of property and malicious damage of property
The 15 suspects who have been released include Godwin Kipchirchir, Abraham Chemja, Rodgers Kiplimo, Sammy Keter, Elvis Kipkoech, Moses Bahati, Edwin Cheruiyot, William Samal Erupe, Cleophas Cheboi, Peris Maiyo, Elias Kiplagat, Eliud Kimeli, Kiplagat Chumba, Kenneth Sawe, Kipkorir Muge and Collins Cheboi.
The State counsel had asked the court to detain the suspects in custody for 14 days to allow the investigation officers to finish their investigations into the matter which he termed serious owing to the fact that the region has been listed as one of the hot spot in the country.
“Your honour, we are opposed to the suspect being released on bail at this point in time because the investigation officers are yet to complete their probe. We request that your order for the suspects to be detained for 14 days at Eldoret central police station,” argued Mureithi.
The presiding magistrate was told that some of the suspects hail from different parts of the county and that if released they are likely to interfere with the witnesses and also abscond court.
“There is a high chance that the suspects, some of whose home of residence is not known, are likely to abscond court and also interfere with the prosecution witnesses,” he added.
The suspects’ lawyer Titus Bitok opposed the statement saying that all the suspects come from Kabenes village.
“My clients are not a flight risk as claimed by the State Counsel as their homes are well known as they all come from Kabenes village. I plead that they are detained for only two days to pave the way for completion of investigations,” said Bitok.
Collage image of the chopper. |Courtesy| Junet Mohamed/Babu Owino Twitter|[/caption]
The prosecution which was led by Jamlek Mureithi had the suspects detained for fourteen days at Eldoret Police station to allow for the conclusion of the investigation. Initial investigations had revealed that some of the suspects were sponsored and ferried to the burial from different parts of the county.
The seventeen suspects who are set to be charged with attempted murder, incitement, destruction of property and malicious damage of property
The 15 suspects who have been released include Godwin Kipchirchir, Abraham Chemja, Rodgers Kiplimo, Sammy Keter, Elvis Kipkoech, Moses Bahati, Edwin Cheruiyot, William Samal Erupe, Cleophas Cheboi, Peris Maiyo, Elias Kiplagat, Eliud Kimeli, Kiplagat Chumba, Kenneth Sawe, Kipkorir Muge and Collins Cheboi.
The State counsel had asked the court to detain the suspects in custody for 14 days to allow the investigation officers to finish their investigations into the matter which he termed serious owing to the fact that the region has been listed as one of the hot spot in the country.
“Your honour, we are opposed to the suspect being released on bail at this point in time because the investigation officers are yet to complete their probe. We request that your order for the suspects to be detained for 14 days at Eldoret central police station,” argued Mureithi.
The presiding magistrate was told that some of the suspects hail from different parts of the county and that if released they are likely to interfere with the witnesses and also abscond court.
“There is a high chance that the suspects, some of whose home of residence is not known, are likely to abscond court and also interfere with the prosecution witnesses,” he added.
The suspects’ lawyer Titus Bitok opposed the statement saying that all the suspects come from Kabenes village.
“My clients are not a flight risk as claimed by the State Counsel as their homes are well known as they all come from Kabenes village. I plead that they are detained for only two days to pave the way for completion of investigations,” said Bitok. What's Your Reaction?
