Drama as murder suspect storms Kenyan court with ten 'body guards'

Flying Squad officers arrest ten guards at Bungoma Law Courts, who had accompanied murder suspect, Henry Waswa on Monday. (PHOTO:TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

Bungoma, Kenya: There was drama at the Bungoma Law Courts Monday, when a murder suspect accompanied by his guards, were arrested and ordered to lie on the ground.

Flying squad police officers ordered them to lie down as they searched for guns.

The suspect, who is accused of killing a university student in Kimilili last year, was out on bond.

He had come for the hearing of his case but was accompanied by 10 guards in state of the art vehicles. They were arrested as they entered the court precincts.

"The guards stormed the court with the suspect and we had to act swiftly because the complainant had alerted us that the youth might be armed," said Bungoma OCPD Kirunya Limbitu.

Henry Waswa is accused of killing a Mombasa university college student Mitch Kibiti. 

The deceased is the son to Bungoma County Public Administration Chief Officer David Kibiti.

Drama started when Waswa, who was to appear before resident judge Abida Ali Aroni, stormed the court precincts with over 10 youth, who police suspected were armed with guns and communication gadgets. It is alleged that they were set to threaten witnesses lined up for the case.

Offices from the flying squad moved in swiftly forcing Waswa's guards, who had initially tried to resist arrest, to lie down as they ransacked their vehicles and pockets for any contraband material or illegal guns.

Waswa had been released on bail after a protracted legal tussle between the director of public prosecutions and lawyers representing him.

Speaking when he appeared before judge Abida, Waswa lawyer J Amollo demanded to be told why his client was arrested when he was supposed to be in court.

"Your honor, my client has been arrested in the court environment and his fundamental rights abused,"said Amollo.

Investigating Officer Josphat Wambua told the court that Waswa had refused to surrender his certificate despite being told to do so and a warrant of arrest was issued by a magistrate court.

Limbinyu said that they later released the 10 suspects after police did not find any weapons.