The four Nairobi County Askaris are suspected to be behind serial killings of hawkers in the city/CFM
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 24 – Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has opposed the release on bail of four Nairobi County Askaris facing murder, arguing that they are a flight risk.
Tobiko, through assistant Director of Public Prosecution Catherine Mwaniki told Justice James Wakiaga of frustrations by police officers in arresting the askaris.
Mwaniki told the court that it took two years to apprehend the four askaris.
She told the court that Alfred Maranya Ogesi alias Brown, Julius Omanyo Ochieng, Marigo Protus alias Sarara and Ambani Akasi alias Wasiwasi are “very dangerous to the society.”
The court heard that Ambani only appeared in court after a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
Mwaniki submitted that even the wife of the deceased has expressed fear if the suspects were released on bail pending trial.
“The evidence held by the prosecution shows how the accused have been terrorizing hawkers in the city and it was difficult to arrest them as the victims feared for their lives,” the court heard.
The four Nairobi County Askaris are suspected to be behind serial killings of hawkers in the city.
They were charged on January 11 with the murder of Irungu Kamau, one of the city hawkers.
The court two weeks ago directed the Nairobi City County inspectorate department to supply the DPP with particulars of the four askaris.
“The court hereby orders the director of inspectorate to avail to the probation officer the said report failure to which he should appear in court to explain the reasons of not complying with the prosecution’s request,” Justice Wakiaga ruled.
Mwaniki had told the court that despite several attempts by office of the DPP and the probation officer to get details of the four accused persons the inspectorate department has not been cooperative.
A ruling will be made on March 23 whether they should be released on bail.
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