Four arraigned in a Nairobi court over murder of Marsabit chief

Four people connected to the murder of a local chief in Marsabit County were on Monday produced before a Nairobi court.

Doyo Galgalo, Galmo Guyo Galgalo alias Makanyangu, Bokayo Dida Boru alias Wabaro and Somo Huka Kanchoro were accused of murdering Godana Darara on December 16, 2018 at Gargasa area in Marsabit Central jointly with others still at large.

The accused persons appeared before Justice James Wakiaga who sought to know why they had been produced in Nairobi and not Meru, where the matter was first registered, in regards to the jurisdiction.

According to the prosecution, there was a lot of friction among communities in Marsabit, therefore Nairobi was the most prudent place to hear the matter.

The defense, however, informed the court that three of the accused – Doyo, Galmo and Bokayo – were charged in a Meru court where they denied the charges and were released on a Ksh.300,000 cash bail.

They further accused the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of being unhappy with the bail terms, adding that the DPP wanted the suspects brought before a court where they would get stringent bond terms hence the decision to rearrest them after they were discharged by the Meru court.

The fourth suspect – Somo – who was reportedly arrested on December 17, 2018 and has been in custody since, is yet to plead to the charges on grounds that he has not been taken for a mental assessment test.

The defense also accused the office of the DPP of withholding the assessment report and failing to file it in court. Hence, Justice Wakiaga directed the prosecution to file and serve their response on the issues raised.

The matter will be mentioned on Tuesday for further directions on plea taking and bond terms.