Four city county askaris charged with murder released on bail

The High Court has released the four Nairobi City County askaris accused of murdering a hawker last year in Nairobi.

The four have been released on a bond of 2 million shillings each with surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 500 thousand.

In his ruling, Justice James Wakiaga said the prosecution did not give any compelling reason to deny the accused their constitutional right to be released on bail.

They have, however, been released on conditions that their employer, Nairobi County Government, re-deploys them away from the city center and that they strictly adhere to the law in their duties.

The case will be mentioned on  April 14th when a hearing date will be set.

In February 2016, the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko opposed the release of the four askaris.

The prosecution told High Court Judge James Wakiaga that the case against the officers is serious and they could intimidate witnesses if granted bail.

Alfred Maranya alias Ogesi, Marigo Protus alias Sarara, Julius Ochieng and Ambani Akasi alias Wasiwasi denied killing the hawker identified as Irungu Kamau last year.

Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki told Justice Wakiaga to place the four in pre-trial detention until key witnesses including the widow of the deceased and other hawkers who had expressed fear for their lives testify.