Witnesses: Suspect in ex-Treasury Tom Osinde's murder lied about owning V8 Prado

Julius Mugoi Ogao accused in the murder of ex-Treasury official Tom Osinde on June 17 and 18 2023, at Ngata, Nakuru. [Photo/Yvonne Chepkwony]

Witnesses in the murder of ex-Treasury official Tom Osinde have told a Nakuru Court that a man charged in the case lied that he owned his boss's car.

The witnesses narrated their encounter with Julius Ogao, driving a posh V8 Prado, claiming he owned it.

One of the witnesses, Patrick Nyamweya, while testifying on Tuesday before a Nakuru High Court Judge, Julius Nangea, said that his cousin, Julius Ogao, had told them that he owned the Prado he parked at his compound.

Julius is accused of killing Osinde on the night of June 17 and 18, 2023, at his Ngata Farm in Rongai, Nakuru County.

Osinde's decomposed body was found in the Kuja River in Migori County on June 28, 2023.

His cousin, he said, claimed he was a businessman and had invested in a supermarket.

"On June 20, 2023, at around 8:30, I was having dinner when I heard a knock on my door. It was my cousin Julius, ushered him in, but refused to seat claiming he wanted to park his vehicle," Patrick said.

Out of excitement, he allegedly went to see the said vehicle.

As the duo went back inside the house and had a chat, Patrick questioned why he had been missing, but Julius claimed he had been busy establishing his business empire.

When in his house, he claimed that his cousin was in his normal mood but seemed tired.

"I questioned if it was true the car was his. He said he bought it with his money. I knew Julius was lying, and I told him so. The car was huge, the one used by ministers. I arranged how he would sleep," he said.

Patrick claimed his cousin had disappeared for over a year, disputing his alleged claims of owning a car of that caliber as a far-fetched dream.

In the morning, Patrick said that as he left for work, at around 6:30, Julius also claimed he was taking vegetables to the market.

Before they parted ways, Patrick claimed that Julius informed him that he had other business to attend to and would pass by on Thursday before he traveled back to work, where his business was.

Two days later, Patrick learned the alleged car his cousin had was Osinde, his boss, who was reported missing.

Elmus Aguta, a tailor, said on June 19, 2023, at around noon, while at Misesi trading centre, he met Julius, his nephew, whom he had not seen for two years.

"Julius had a big black car, he told me he was going to Ikoba market, I requested him for a lift since I was heading that direction, to buy some clothing materials, which he agreed to," he added.

Inside the car was a teacher seated back left, as the car was stuffed with things, he was directed to squeeze himself into the co-driver seat, where two sacks of fertilizers were.

His nephew, he claimed, alleged that he was working at a supermarket in Keroka town and was doing well, and owned the car.

"On reaching the Ikoba trading centre, the teacher and I alighted. I went to buy the garment materials within two hours. I was done, and started my journey back to Misesi, Coincidentally, I saw Julius as I was walking, he stopped and offered me a lift back," he claimed

This time, he alleged Julius was alone, and the car was empty; he sat in the co-driver seat.

At Misesi, he alleged that Julius increased the volume of the car radio volume which attracted the motorcycle riders.

Just like Patrick, he also learned from the news that a car similar to the one Julius had was abandoned and recovered in Transmara by police officers from Kilgoris Police Station.

Jared Kemunto, a bodaboda rider who used to ride a motorcycle with Julius at Misesi, alleged that on June 19, 2023, he saw Julius with the car.

He claimed that at their motorcycle stage at Misesi, Julius took him and four other riders to the nearby shopping centre and gave Sh150 to buy tea.

He claimed that he had worked with Julius for two years before he fled following defilement allegations.

The case will be further heard on July 17 and 24.