By P, KNA
A professor at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Francis Ang’awa Okere and two others were yesterday arraigned in the High Court in Siaya on murder charges.
Ang’awa and his co- accused, Meshack Okuku Ondiege and Joash Odhiambo Ongoro appeared before Justice David Kemei and pleaded not guilty to charges of the murder of Denis Ambrose Achieng on 15th November, 2025 along Orengo – Gul Min Ougo murram road in Nyaguda sub location in South Sakwa, Bondo sub county.
The three accused’s plea to be released on bond were declined by Justice Kemei who ordered that they be detained in custody pending the mention of the case on 22nd January, 2026 when the court will hear a pre-bond report by the probation department.
Earlier, the prosecution opposed the applicants’ plea to be released on bond by the court, saying that the accused, together with others who are still at large are suspected to have killed an eye witness to the crime, Hezron Otieno Nyamburi.
According to documents filed in court, Nyamburi, 37 years, was picked by unknown people at around 9.30 pm from his home in Orengo village and brutally murdered on 16th January,2026, sending chills down the spines of the remaining witnesses.
An affidavit sworn by the investigating officer said that the accused, upon being granted cash bail by Bondo magistrate’s court where they were first arraigned upon arrest by the police who sought time to detain them, started inquiring into the names and whereabouts of the witnesses in the matter.
“It has been difficult to engage other key witnesses as the accused persons have been going round tracing them with the motive not disclosed” read the affidavit adding: “there is need for them to be in safe custody until key witnesses testify fully.”
The investigating officer said efforts to place the remaining key witnesses under witness protection will be rendered nugatory if the accused persons are granted bond before this is achieved.