Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko drops criminal charges against Narok Senator Stephen Ole Ntutu, four MPs

From Right: Narok County Senator Stephen Ole Ntutu, Korei ole Lemein (Narok South), Johanna Ngeno (Emmurua Dikkirr), Patrick Ntutu (Narok West) and Richard Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North) when they appeared before Magistrate Enock Cherono at Milimani Law Courts to answer charges of Incitement. [Photo: File/Standard]

Kenya: Narok Senator Stephen Ole Ntutu and four Members of Parliament from the region have been left off the hook after the Director of Public Prosecution failed to gather enough evidence to sustain their trial.

The DPP told court Thursday that he intends to have the five leaders assist in the investigation
being conducted by the civilian police body in attempts to establish who shot and killed a protestor during demonstrations late last year.

Ole Ntutu was charged alongside Moitalel Ole Kenta (Narok north), Korei Lemein (Narok south), Patrick Ntutu (Narok West) and Johanna Ngeno (Emmurua Dikkirr.

The five, who were out on a bond of Sh 500, 000, however, were yet to take plea to charges of incitement to violence.

"1 have instructions from the DPP that the evidence contained in the investigation file taken in its totality does not meet the threshold to justify a criminal prosecution against the respondents," prosecutor Daniel Karuri told the court.

Karori, further said he had been directed by the DPP to request the court to free the politicians without prejudice of any future criminal proceedings being instituted.

Consequently, Principal Magistrate Kenneth Cheruiyot allowed the application by the DPP and discharged the five unconditionally.

Senior lawyer Paul Muite, who was representing the five, said he will be seeking compensation for the mistreatment and humiliation they underwent in the hands of the police, after they were summoned to CID headquarters .

The politicians were also detained overnight at the Muthaiga Police Station after hundreds of Narok residents marched to the governor's office to present a petition over alleged corruption.

During the protest that was marked with chaos, one protestor was shot dead prompting police to arrest the leaders, who were said to be behind the demonstration.

They five were, however, released on a personal bond. They were also required to report to the directorate of criminal investigation every week. Initially, the DPP had intimated that he intended to charge them with murder following the fatal shooting but the intention was dropped after more violence rocked the county.