An Eldoret court has today freed a total of 13 people including two women on a cash bail of Sh40,000 each, who were arrested last week in connection with robbery with violence and destruction of property worth over Sh10 million.
Chief Magistrate, Dennis Mikoyan, also granted them an alternative of depositing a Sh300,000 bond each should they wish to secure their release from the Eldoret GK Remand Prison, where they have been held since their arrest.
“I direct that each of the accused persons deposit a cash bail of Sh40,000 or an alternative bond of Sh300,000,” ruled Magistrate Mikoyan.
In his ruling, the Magistrate observed that although there were compelling reasons to continue detaining the suspects, the court opted to grant them bail under strict conditions.
According to the charge sheet, the accused include Rose Kurui, Mark Kibor, John Kipchirchir, Sammy Chesir, Irene Chemeli, Geoffrey Kiprotich, Nelson Kibet, Noah Kotut, Barnabas Kurgat, Thomas Kemei, Birna Kiplimo, Paul Kipkoech, and Ronald Kipkosgei.
There was heavy police presence within the court precincts as hundreds of family members thronged the area in solidarity with the suspects.
The 13, who appeared before the Chief Magistrate, denied six charges related to robbery with violence and malicious damage to property contrary to Section 339(1) of the Penal Code.
Court documents indicate that the suspects attacked the complainant, Douglas Wafula Mutali, at his matrimonial home in Chemororoch Village, Soy Sub- County, on December 25, 2023. They were allegedly armed with crude weapons, including bows, arrows, and machetes, during the attack.
It is alleged that they razed down the complainant’s house and destroyed his tractor and two high-end vehicles, with the total value of the property estimated at more than Sh10 million.
They also allegedly cut down 13 cypress trees, 23 blue gum trees, 78 bottle brush trees, and one acacia tree valued at over Sh800,000, belonging to the complainant.
The accused were further charged with refusing to have their fingerprints taken at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office in Eldoret Central Police Station for evidence and record purposes.
Through their lawyer, Elijah Ayieko, the suspects pleaded with the court to grant them reasonable bail or bond terms, arguing that they were not a flight risk and were willing to attend court proceedings whenever required.
“Your honour, my clients are ready to cooperate with the court and attend all sessions as needed. They therefore pray for bail or bond that they can afford,” Ayieko appealed to the court.
However, the prosecution, led by State Counsel, Waweru Kiarie, opposed their release, citing the seriousness of the capital offences they were facing.
Kiarie informed the court that the suspects had allegedly been threatening the complainant with eviction from his property since their arrest.
“Your honour, the accused persons are still threatening the complainant, warning him that if he continues with the case, they will forcibly evict him from his property unless he withdraws the matter,” he said.
The prosecution added that the complainant had fled his home due to the threats and that the accused had shown no willingness to engage in mediation.
“Even though the complainant was open to an out-of-court settlement, the accused persons have not demonstrated any goodwill,” Kiarie added.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned on November 24, 2025, for further directions.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
