This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
On August 26, 2020, Kibera Law Courts Principal Magistrate Derrick Kuto ruled that the prosecution had supplied sufficient reasons to warrant continued detention of Chris Obure and Robert Ouko, key suspects in the murder of Kelvin Omwenga.
The murder occurred on a Friday evening at Galana Suites in Kilimani, Nairobi County. Preliminary investigations revealed that Omwenga and Ouko had gone to Omwenga's residence for dinner, but a loud sound similar to a gunshot was heard a few minutes later.
Lead investigating officer Bashir Boya stated in an affidavit that releasing the suspects at this stage would interfere with investigations and potentially scare away potential witnesses. Boya also mentioned that the police were yet to record statements from key witnesses, take fingerprints, and conduct DNA sampling.
Obure's bodyguard, Robert Ouko, had initially denied the murder, claiming it was an accident. However, the court deemed it necessary to continue detaining the suspects to allow the police to conclude their investigations.
“After considering the application and the rival arguments, the court is convinced that it is necessary to continue detaining the suspects to allow the police to conclude investigations as their release could interfere with the ongoing investigations,” Kuto ruled.
