Two suspects accused of assaulting nine journalists and a number of Luo Council of elders in Homa Bay have been remanded at Homa Bay GK prisons after failing to raise the Ksh200,000 bond each.
Robert Ouko Ouma alias Barga and his accomplice Wickliffe Agola Wasonga appeared before the Homa Bay Chief Magistrate Julius Nang’ea where they denied the charges levelled against them.
The two were charged together with others who were not before the court.
The suspects allegedly attacked and injured the scribes and the elders on Saturday during a press briefing.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects attacked causing bodily injuries to the journalists and elders.
The incident took place at Tourist’s Hotel in Homa Bay town.
The accused are facing other charges which include threatening to behead some journalists, assaulting journalists, cresting disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace and causing bodily harm to journalists.
Among the journalists who were attacked on the material day include Florence Ochieng’ of radio Lake Victoria, Ally Abich (Ramogi Fm), Joseph Onyango (radio Nam Lolwe), George Odiewuor (Nation Media Group), James Latano (Royal Media Service), Robert Omollo (Radio Africa Group), Dickens Ochieng’ (Sky FM), Lavender Okech (Radio Arise) and Florence Owiti (Tuko News).
The case was reported and booked at Homa Bay Police station on March 11, 2023, which prompted the police to launch a manhunt for the well-known youths within Homa Bay town.
Police are still pursuing other suspects who have since gone into hiding.
Homa Bay County police commander Samson Ole Kinne assured the scribes that they are committed to ensuring that all the remaining suspects are arrested and charged before the court of law.
