A Nairobi Court has freed on bail five police officers charged with killing a suspect at Changamwe Police Station in Mombasa.
High Court Judge Bwonwong’a Justus has released them on Sh 1Million bond or a cash bail of Sh 800,000 pending the conclusion of the case.
He ruled that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other Investigation Authorities did not table enough evidence to warrant their continuous detention.
“The accused have a right to fair trial under the new law, “he added.
Their lawyer Danson Omari said that a Nairobi court has finally granted the five bail after 5 years of struggle.
“The family of the officers have gone through tough times that their students could not go to school for two years due to lack of school fees, “said Omari.
Omari applauded Judge Brown Wong’s for granting them bail saying that even police officers deserve Justice.
He had made an application to have the suspects released on bail.
Omari added that before Investigation Officers arrest anyone, they should do thorough investigations so that they do not keep people who may be innocent in custody.
The five are Khalif Abdulahi Sigat, James Muli Koti, Joseph Odhiambo Sirawa, Edward Kongo Onchonga and Nelson Nkanae.
Through lawyer Omari, they had requested the court to grant them bail.
The five officers were charged with killing Caleb Esipino Otieno, who died in a cell at Changamwe Police Station.
A statement from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority said Otieno died hours after he was arrested on suspicion of having illegal alcohol – Changáa – at Mikindani on September 18, 2018.
They argue that the Deceased died under police custody having been booked at Changamwe Police Station and as such, it was mandatory that prior to arraignment, the matter was to be taken through a public inquest in strict compliance with provisions of Sections 386 and 387 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Laws of Kenya.
The family of the officers expressed gratitude and thanked the court.
