By M, KNA
Ten people linked to political disturbances in Kisumu over the weekend have been released on a bond of Sh30,000 each with sureties of similar amount or Sh.10, 000 cash bail by a Kisumu court.
The 10 were arrested on Saturday in the company of the bodyguard of Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP), Babu Owino, during an upheaval that saw several people injured in the lakeside town. The bodyguard was, however, not arraigned as he had been released earlier from police custody.
The ten included, Silas Otieno, Collins Oganda alias Daddy, Clifford Odhiambo alias Cliff, David Omollo alias Mau, Masheti Shikhuyu and Dickson Manyasi among others were arraigned before the Kisumu Chief Magistrate Court, Benson Ireri on Tuesday following their arrest in connection with alleged robbery activities in Kisumu County and its environs.
They were, however, not required to plead as the police was seeking more time to hold them pending investigations.
The magistrate however declined to grant the orders sought and released them on bond. The case will be mentioned on March 30.
The arrest followed eruption of chaos in Vihiga and Kakamega The Linda Mwanachi faction of ODM party led by Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino among others held political rallies in those two Western Kenya counties on Saturday February 21st.
It`s alleged the suspects were arrested along the Busia – Kisumu Road while travelling in a black Toyota Noah, registration number KDR 431T.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claim that the men were found armed with weapons, including daggers and knives, during a stop-and-search operation conducted on intelligence reports.
The Investigator further informed the court that they are yet to obtain details of the
registered owner of the vehicle from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Atubwa further told the court that they are also awaiting reports from the DCI cybercrime unit and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau concerning the analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones and subscriber details, which are believed to have been used in coordinating the alleged offences.
He then prayed to the court to grand him 10 days more to hold the suspects pending these investigations, but in a sharp rejoinder, the court declined stating that the suspects had already been held for more than 24 hours since their arrest on Saturday which is a gross violation of their rights.
One person was killed during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela a fortnight ago and
last weekend, another person was killed during a political rally in Vihiga and scores of others were injured in Kakamega on Saturday.
There seem to a trend of hired goons being used to disrupt political rallies even as teargas canisters are being lobbed in crowds and more recently in a church in Nyeri. Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) has directed police to deal firmly with this violence that seems to be emerging as the country moved closer to the General Elections in August 2027.