Suspect in MP murder accused of death threats

Former Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo. [FILE] Ebel Ochieng, one of the suspects in the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were, was on Wednesday shocked in the Kibera High Court after he allegedly threatened to kill a prosecutor. This comes as the prosecution sought to have all the suspects held in different locations in a significant development, with some willing to spill the beans in exchange for a lenient sentence or for becoming a State witness. The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Allen Mulama, first appeared before High Court Judge Margaret Muigai for a mention of a case against Isaac Kuria and Allan Omondi. Mulama said that the two who were under Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) custody should be remanded at Kamiti, away from the rest. According to him, the State was pursuing other investigative processes, which included a plea bargain. In the meantime, an investigator, Police Constable Damian Mlongo, told the court in Kibera that Ochieng sought to know Mulama's name. Mulama had opposed the accused who before Justice Diana Mochache was released on bail. "He asked me, who is this opposing our release on bail," the officer said. He further claimed that after he informed Ochieng about Mulama's rank, the accused person responded "We will kill him." Mlongo said that after he heard the threats, he informed the officer in charge of Kibera High Court's security, who, in turn, informed prosecutor Gikui Gichuhi, who then raised the matter in court. Ochieng had been brought to court with the prosecution seeking an order to have him, alongside William Imoli and Edwin Odhiambo, undergo a mental health test before pleading to murder charges. Justice Mochache said that the alleged threatening words are not to be taken lightly since they target an individual who was just doing their work. "The mere utterance of the words tutamuua [we will kill him] have frightened the prosecutor out of this court, the question is how about the witnesses," she said. "It is on that ground alone the three of you will be denied bail at this juncture." Justice Mochache said that she could not dare release the three men on bond before directing that they be held at the Nairobi Remand Centre but ordered that Ochieng be held in isolation owing to the alleged threats. She also directed that Imoli be treated after his advocate John Swaka raised his health concerns adding that the officers had not given him the required medical attention. Omondi and Kuria, Imoli, Oduor and Ochieng will also undergo a mental health assessment at the Mathare hospital before pleading to the charges. In the meantime, Justice Muigai ordered that Omondi and Kuria be given a pro-bono lawyer to represent them during the trial. The cases will be mentioned on June 17 and 18.

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