Kilifi KFF chairman charged with murder

Six men and a woman charged with the murder of an elderly man in Magarini will today know whether they will be freed on bond.

Michael Yaa, Alfred Sulubu, Baraka Karani, Shida Katana, Al Mohamed Katongo, Elizabeth Kaingu and KFF official Julius Henry had denied the charges on December 16, when they appeared before Malindi resident judge Reuben Nyakundi.

They are accused that on May 5, 2019, at Kapupuni village in Magarini, jointly with others not before the court, they murdered Nasser Khalifa Issa.

The prosecution, led by Barbara Sombo, opposed the release of Julius Henry, saying he was likely to interfere with witnesses by virtue of his position as the Kilifi County KFF chairman.

“The seventh accused is a very influential person in the society and has very close ties, especially to an elected influential politician in Kilifi County, and might interfere with witnesses,” Sombo told court during the bond hearing on Tuesday.

Ms Sombo added that Henry had evaded arrest for several months and that he was adversely mentioned during investigations as the mastermind of the crime.

“The offence took place in May and he was arrested in November. That is proof of how he tried to influence his arrest, and if released on bond, he might threaten the victims and the five witnesses we have lined up for the case,” she said.

His lawyer, however, countered the prosecution stating that the accused had filed an affidavit in court to indicate that he would not interfere with witnesses.

Nyakundi will make a ruling on the bond terms today.