17 suspects linked to recent killings of five guards remanded for 14 days

17 suspects who were linked to the killing of five guards in Kilingili arraigned in Kakamega court. [Duncan Ocholla/Standard]

Two out of 17 suspects linked to the brutal murder of five night guards in Kilingili market at the border of Vihiga and Kakamega counties are students.

All 17 of them appeared yesterday before a resident magistrates court to take plea.

The suspects who were arrested on Monday at Emusutswi and Ebusamia sub-locations in Emuhaya sub-county, are facing robbery with violence charges.

They are accused of killing Linus Anyiga (74), Thomas Minao (70), Francis Osayo (48), John Ondachi (63) and Charles Kalume (60) who were night guards at Kilingili market.

The prosecutor, Samson Ng’etich, asked the court to remand the suspects so that police can conclude investigations into the crime.

Mr Ng’etich also alleged that there are other suspects who are part of the attack-gang who have gone missing.

“We have not recorded statements from key witnesses who are still undergoing treatment at Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital and Mbale Teaching and Referral Hospital,” Ng’etich said while asking for more time.

More time

“The police have also not conducted an identification parade of the suspects.”

The prosecutor said mobile phones that were confiscated from the suspects have been forwarded to the cyber-crime unit to fast-track forensic data analysis, and get crucial information that will enable him in prosecuting the case.

Ng’etich also emphasised that more time is needed so that the clothes the suspects are believed to have worn when committing the crime, can be analysed at the Government chemist in Kisumu for any traits of evidence.

The suspects did not take plea to the charges facing them.

Kakamega Resident Magistrate William Lopokoiyit ruled that the suspects be remanded to Mbale Police Station for 14 days and be presented in court on March 20 this year, for the mentioning of the case.

The magistrate also declined to grant prayers of some of the students who had pleaded with the court to set them free in order to enable them continue with school.

Security has been beefed up at the market and its surroundings. More investigators have also been dispatched to investigate the incident.

Officers transferred

Police officers from both Kakamega and Vihiga counties have been deployed at the market to guarantee residents their security.

Night patrols have also been intensified at the market and its environs following the incident.

According to Kakamega County Commissioner, Abdiruzak Jaldesa, all the officers who were stationed at Kilingili police station have been transferred and replaced with new officers.

He said the OCS who was manning the station and other police officers who were accused by the locals of abetting crime are under investigations.

Last December, a 60-year-old guard was killed and a lorry with goods valued at Sh1 million stolen at the nearby Mbale town.