President aspirant in court for ‘attempting to kill himself’

Pesidential candidate Peter Solomon Gichira who is also running as independent candidate on 23 May 2017. Photo by Edward Kiplimo.

A presidential aspirant who was locked up for allegedly attempting to commit suicide was yesterday charged in a Nairobi court.

Peter Solomon Gichira (right) walked into the courtroom smiling, with several of his supporters in tow.

He denied three counts of attempting suicide, creating disturbance and malicious damage to property.

Mr Gichira who appeared before Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, was charged with committing the offence on May 27, 2017 at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.

Jump off

Gichira is accused of attempting to kill himself by trying to jump off the sixth floor of Anniversary Towers. He wanted to jump through a window.

He had arrived at the IEBC offices on Saturday afternoon to seek clarification on the list of those to be cleared when he received the news that he had been disqualified.

In the second count, he is accused of creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by shouting and demanding for an explanation for being barred from vying as an independent presidential candidate.

The court was also informed that the aspirant damaged one internet socket, one air conditioner machine and door all valued at Sh30,000.

Through lawyer Dedan Wachira, the accused sought a lenient cash bail.

“The accused is not a flight risk and is a serious Kenyan,” said Mr Wachira.

He said that the presentation process is still ongoing and the accused should be released so that he can appear before the High Court to challenge the decision by IEBC.

He said High Court Judge George Odunga issued the order to have the accused allowed to present nomination papers to the IEBC.

He was released on Sh200,000 cash bail or a bond of Sh200,000. The matter will be heard on June 15, 2017.