Former Harambee Stars, Gor Mahia midfielder to take plea over murder charges next week

By Peter Ochieng

Former Kenyan international and Gor Mahia midfielder Collins Okoth alias Gattuso was on Tuesday arraigned in court over alleged murder.

He appeared before Justice Alexander Muteti, at the Milimani Law Courts, alongside his co-accused Silvia Aoko, in relation to the alleged rape and murder of a 3-year-old baby in Lucky Summer estate, in Ruaraka Sub-County, in Nairobi.

They are alleged to have murdered Pamela Atieno alias Scovian Maya, on April 22, 2024.

The prosecution confirmed that the suspects had undergone medical assignment, and justice Muteti directed the mental assessment reports be filed in court before they plead to charges on 11th September 2024.

The Investigating officer who appeared in court following court summons refuted claims he had declined to release a mobile phone and money belonging to Okoth, who featured for a number of Kenyan Premier League clubs including Gor Mahia, Tusker, Bandari and Sofapaka among others, during his glorious days as a footballer.

The officer informed the court that during the arrest, he recovered a Samsung mobile phone and a wallet which had two identification cards, and a National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) card, adding that all were recorded in an inventory signed by the suspect.

The court directed the officer to release a Samsung phone to the suspect. He also directed the former footballer to make a formal complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

Okoth is held at Industrial Area Remand Prison, while his co-accused is held at Lang'ata Women's Prison as detectives conclude investigations into the murder.

The court had earlier ordered that the two be detained for 30 days pending mental assessments and further probe. Okoth is being accused of killing the child on the night of April 22, 2024, when the child’s mother had allegedly stepped out of their rental house.

The court was told that police officers found the body behind the building where the deceased lived with her mother, and was half-naked with bruises on the neck. Reportedly, Gattuso was hurriedly packing his belongings in order to leave the area, when he was arrested.