Suspect implicated in attack on Standard Group Editor's family denied bail

By Stanley Ongwae | 2d ago

The court has declined to release three people accused of attacking Standard Group journalist's mother in Nyamira County.

Based on fresh reports filed by the Probation Department, Resident Magistrate Christabel Agutu said the accused persons cannot be released on bail or bond at this stage.

“Given the pre-bail reports, the bond is to be considered at a later stage. This will be after the key witnesses in this matter have testified,” she ruled, directing that the case be heard on July 23.

The court also ordered the State Counsel Judy Kimutai to forward statements to the key witnesses expected to testify in court during the hearing.

The local administration and the accused persons’ families including members of the community gave their views regarding the request to release the accused on bail or bond terms.

The fresh reports sought to establish the suitability of the accused persons being released on bail after lawyer Kethie Kilonzo who is representing the victim, successfully challenged the initial one.

In the reports that were filed in court on June 27, the Probation Department said the findings were not favourable to the accused persons being granted bond at this stage and recommended that bond being a constitutional right for the accused persons, the court may expedite the hearing process and consider granting them bond after all key witnesses have testified.

Francis Oruko, Job Morara and Kevin Mogi are charged with robbery with violence following an attack that took place at Nyamaiya Market in Nyamira County, where the victim was robbed and injured at her shop on November 30, 2023.

The report shows that members of the community around Nyamaiya market knew the suspects and alluded they belonged to a dangerous criminal gang who robbed people within the area and sold the stolen goods in the nearby market town of Sondu, Kisumu County.

“The crime has been subdued since they were arrested. They want them remanded until the matter is heard and determined, as they want to know who has been terrorizing them for this long,” reads the report.

Senior Chief Livingstone Momanyi said despite the bond being a constitutional right to the accused persons, he objects to the accused being granted bond and hopes justice will eventually be served.

“The community environment is still not conducive for the release of the accused persons on bond,” he said.

Senior Assistant Chief of the area Mong'are Kinaro stated that he objected to the accused persons being granted bond at this stage, adding that cases of robbery have been rampant in the area and the community was enraged.

The third accused person’s father indicated that he was a community policing member and ready to stand surety for the son.

The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions told the court it has its case intact and ready to go all the way until justice is realized.