Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa will remain in custody for 10 more days as police probe the killing of a man in Bungoma last Tuesday.
A Bungoma court on Tuesday, August 16, allowed an application by the prosecution seeking more time to allow detectives to record statements from witnesses.
Barasa was first arraigned in court on Monday after surrendering to authorities on August 12.
He is alleged to have shot and killed Brian Olunga, an aide to one of his opponents after a disagreement at Chebukwani Polling Station on August 9.
The 10 days, the prosecution said, will allow detectives to record statements from officers from the National Youth Service and Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC), who witnessed the incident.
“The detectives also need time to complete and present ballistic and postmortem reports,” the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said.
Witnesses scared to record statements in Barasa murder probe
The court heard that some of the witnesses are scared to testify in the case.
In their application, the prosecution further requested that the MP is held in custody to allow it to engage the Witness Protection Agency (WPA)
The case will be mentioned on August 24, 2022, for the prosecution to confirm the status of investigations before making the decision to charge.
Kimilili MP, Didmus Barasa, to remain in custody for 10 more days after prosecution made an application for more time to allow detectives complete investigations and allow more witnesses, including NYS and IEBC officials to record statements.
— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) August 16, 2022
