Ruth Odinga and Kisumu Senator Fred Outa Charged in Court

Kisumu Senator Fred Outa and former Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga have been charged with disrupting an IEBC training session and malicious damage to property.

The two were arraigned at a Kisumu court on Monday afternoon and were freed on a personal bond of Ksh.500,000 each without surety.

“There is no need for surety, because they are known and are required to follow the law,” ruled Chief Magistrate Julius Ng’ang’a.

The two were ordered to appear before the police on Tuesday for further investigation.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, on Monday ordered for the immediate arrest and charging in court of Mr Outa and Ms Odinga after they disrupted an IEBC training seminar last week.

They, however, presented themselves to the police and were taken to court.

In the urgent letter to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Ndegwa Muhoro, Tobiko directed that the two opposition-allied leaders be arraigned at the Kericho Law Courts on four charges.

“Upon perusal of the file and analysis of the evidence on record, DPP finds the evidence sufficient to warrant prosecution of the two suspects and their accomplices,” read the letter dated October 23.

The DPP directed the two to be charged with “obstructing an election officer from executing his lawful duties, incitement to violence and malicious damage of property contrary to several sections in the Election Offences Act as well as section 339 (1) of the penal code.”

The duo is accused of leading youth to disrupt the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) meeting with county poll officials who will oversee the October 26 repeat presidential election.