This archive report was first published on 29 September 2021.
On September 19, a group of 10 suspects allegedly blocked the Kakamega-Kisumu road at Makunga in an attempt to rescue suspects and free impounded sugar. The suspects, aged between 21 and 28, denied charges of obstructing police officers, assaulting an officer, and conspiracy to defeat justice.
According to the investigation officer, the driver of the truck loaded with sugar was flagged down at the Kenya-Uganda border at Busia. The sugar had been imported into the country by contraband goods dealers. The goods were held for three days at the Chwele Police Station and were being escorted to Kisumu to the regional Kenya Revenue Authority centre for estimation of the amount of duty the dealers were dodging when goons attacked the officers and tried to get back the sugar and free three suspects linked to the goods.
As a scuffle ensued, Lewis Wambesa, 19, who was suspected to be among the people who trailed the sugar from Busia with intention of stopping its delivery, was shot dead. One of the administration Police constable sustained injuries on the right hand, left leg, and chest.
The 10 suspects were arraigned in Kakamega chief magistrate's court and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. They were freed on a cash bail of Sh20,000 with a surety of Sh100,000. The case will be mentioned on October 7.
