Post-election violence suspect acquitted

By Wahome Thuku and Charles Langat

A Nairobi civic leader has become the latest suspect to be acquitted of criminal charges in connection with post-election violence.

Nairobi Senior Principal Magistrate Samuel Wahome acquitted Kenney Okeyo Ngondi of Mukuru kwa Njenga Ward for lack of evidence.

Okeyo had been charge with inciting demonstrators to attack anti-riot police officers in Nairobi.

He had been accused of having committed the offence on January 17, last year, on Kimathi Street near the Stanley Hotel.

Police claimed councillor Okeyo was a leading demonstrator who stoned them. The allegations were that he told the mob, "Stone them! These police officers are blocking us from demonstrating."

The councillor was arrested immediately on instructions of Central Police boss, charged the following day with incitement and released on Sh30,000 cash bail.

Meanwhile, a Nakuru court has ordered a suspected car thief to be remanded until next week as detectives probe the validity of a title he submitted as bond.

Nakuru Chief Magistrate Wilbroda Juma on Friday ordered that the accused Reuben Gachoka Kenja be placed in police custody until August 4 as the District Criminal Investigations Officer probes the validity of a title deed he submitted to court.

The charges

Juma reached the decision after the prosecution submitted an application that amended the charge sheet to include fresh charges against Gachoka after he absconded Court on July 24.

Gachoka who had been charged together with his brother the late Benson Kamau Kenja of stealing a Datsun pick-up registration no KWW 120, the property of John Karanja valued at Sh120,000 pleaded innocent.