Court rules on case against 17 youths linked with attack on Raila
By Judy Jerono
17 suspects linked to the attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga's chopper on April 1, 2022, at Kebenes village in Soy Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, will remain in police custody for seven more days.
The 17 youths who were arraigned in court on Monday before Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Emily Kigen, will remain in custody for more days to allow the police to complete the investigations into the matter.
The prosecution led by Jamlek Mureithi had earlier sought to have the suspects detained for fourteen days at Eldoret Police station to allow for the conclusion of the investigation where the initial investigations revealed that some of the suspects were sponsored and ferried to the burial from different parts of the county.
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Collage image of the chopper. |Courtesy| Junet Mohamed/Babu Owino Twitter|[/caption]
The seventeen suspects who are set to be charged with attempted murder, incitement, destruction of property and malicious damage of property
include Abednego Kiptanui, 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.
The magistrate directed that the accused persons be detained at Eldoret Central police station for seven days. The case will be mentioned on 10th April 2022.
Collage image of the chopper. |Courtesy| Junet Mohamed/Babu Owino Twitter|[/caption]
The seventeen suspects who are set to be charged with attempted murder, incitement, destruction of property and malicious damage of property
include Abednego Kiptanui, 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.
The magistrate directed that the accused persons be detained at Eldoret Central police station for seven days. The case will be mentioned on 10th April 2022. What's Your Reaction?
