Lawyer facing murder charge freed on bond

Lawyer Abel Mogaka at the Eldoret Magistrate Court where he was arraigned yesterday, following the death of his colleague the late Calvin Ngaira Musachi , who was pronounced dead at Mediheal Hospital.

A lawyer accused of killing his colleague was yesterday released on a Sh1 million bond by the High Court in Eldoret.

Abel Mogaka (pictured) is accused of stabbing Calvins Ngaira on May 18 after a confrontation during a house party.

Although Ngaira's family had opposed Mogaka's release, Lady Justice Hellen Omondi ruled that denial of bond should not be used to deny the accused his legal rights.

“The deceased’s family argued that it will be too soon to release the accused on bond, meaning that holding him in custody will quench their anger. But bail or bond denial should not be used to punish the accused,” said Justice Omondi.

The judge further ruled that the presumption of innocence must be upheld.

The court, however, banned Mogaka from visiting Eldoret until the case comes up for mention after a probation report indicated that there was tension in the town after the killing.

Mogaka will be required to report to the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Eldoret West after every two weeks.

The case is slated for mention on July 22 while a hearing will be held on October 22.