Migori Governor Obado released on bail in guns case

Migori Governor Okoth Obado was on Friday released after the court dismissed an application to have him detained for 15 days in an illegal firearms possession case.

The governor was released on a Ksh.500,000 bond and a surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Ksh.200,000.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Joyce Gandani said that the prosecution failed to establish why the investigators should continue holding the governor in custody.

“It will be hard to intimidate or interfere with witnesses since none have been identified,” ruled Magistrate Gandani.

The court further ruled that the Governor Obado was not a flight risk and was confident that he would appear for trial if required.

Prosecution, led by Ms Catherine Mwaniki however asked the court to have Obado report to the Special Crimes Prevention Unit at least once or twice a week or every Friday pending the conclusion of the investigation, an application the defense opposed.

Obado was released  after a two-night stay after eight guns were recovered in his two homes; Migori and Nairobi during a raid by the police.

Detectives from EACC staged a five-hour long search in Obado’s homes, with documents that could aid in an ongoing investigation in the misappropriation of Ksh.2 billion county funds were obtained during the operation.