Kimilili MP-elect Didmus Barasa To Remain in Custody for 10 Days

Kimilili MP-elect Didmus Barasa, will remain in custody for 10 more days, a court has ruled.

The court allowed the police to hold the legislator until they finish their inquiries into the killing of his opponent’s aide.

When Barasa appeared in court in Bungoma, the prosecution asked for more time so that witnesses could record testimonies to help police complete their inquiries into the incident.

The presiding judge Charles Mutai remarked that Barasa is a person of means by virtue of being a member of parliament, and as a result, has the capacity to obstruct the ongoing investigations.

Read: Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa Surrenders to Bungoma Police

“Investigation into the offense of murder requires intense investigations which involve forensic evidence, which might require a bit of time to process. The same would therefore be difficult for police to conduct conclusively without sufficient facilitation leading to the compilation of a charge,” he stated.

The judge also scheduled the case’s mention for Wednesday, with the instruction that by then Barasa should have been formally charged.

Barasa’s lawyer had opposed the order to hold him, claiming that he voluntarily went to the police and is not a flight risk.

The lawmaker is accused of killing a supporter of his closest challenger, Brian Khaemba on Tuesday.

Read Also: DCI Gives Didmus Barasa Six Hours To Surrender Over Alleged Murder of Brian Olunga

The victim, Brian Olunga was shot dead at Chebukwabi where he had gone to observe the vote count.

According to a police report, Barasa withdrew a pistol and aimed at Mr Khaemba’s aide and shot him on the “forehead where he profusely bled”.

Olunga was rushed to Kimilili Sub-County hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

“Scene visited by the police accompanied by Scenes of Crime Personnel from Bungoma County, where the scene was processed and documented.”