Mavoko MP appears in court, charged with torching Syokimau AP camp

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau at the Machakos Law Courts yesterday when he denied torching an AP camp. [PHOTO: JOHN MUIA/STANDARD]

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau was yesterday arraigned before a Machakos court and charged with torching the Syokimau Administration Police camp.

Mr Makau appeared before Machakos Chief Magistrate Lucy Mbugua and denied setting fire to the AP post and destroying police property, all valued at Sh500,000, on July 6, 2016.

He was charged together with others who were not in court.

The MP faced two other counts of incitement and destruction of evidence at the facility. He also denied those charges.

The MP was represented by lawyers Eric Mutua, Wilfred Nyamu, Alphonse Mutinda and Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo. The State was represented by Jospeh Gikonyo of the Director of Public Prosecution's office.

He was accompanied by MPs Kisoi Munyao, Peter Mathuki, Robert Mbui, Jesica Mbalu, Daniel Maanzo and Chama Cha Umma (CCU) party leader Wavinya Ndeti.

The MP was escorted to the courts from the county police headquarters by County CID boss Jonnah Kirui and his officers.

Leading the defence, Mr Mutua successfully applied for the MP's release on bail and the lifting of warrants of arrests issued against him.

WITNESS DOCUMENTS

The magistrate granted the MP a Sh100,000 cash bail, lifted the warrants and directed the defence team to be supplied with copies of witness documents.

Ms Mbugua fixed the hearing of the case for September 16 with a mention on August 26.

When Mutua made the three applications, Mr Gikonyo said he had no instructions to oppose the bail application and promised that his office would supply the defence with the witness statements as directed by the court.

Gikonyo submitted that the MP had earlier surrendered himself to the police before heading to Milimani Law Courts where he was directed to a Machakos court to take a plea.

Mutua argued that his client was unlikely to abscond, adding it was in his interest to attend court and clear his name of the charges levelled against him.

Dressed in a dark suit and dotted blue shirt, the MP was calm as the charges were read out.

There was a moment of excitement in the court as the magistrate delivered her ruling.