This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
On November 25, 2019, Siaya-based Star journalist Erick Oloo was found dead in his cohabiting partner Sabina Kerubo's house in Ugunja sub-county. The prime suspect, Kerubo, was missing in court as her two accomplices appeared before the court over the gruesome murder.
Chief Inspector Kerubo, her househelp Joyce Awuor, and her teenage daughter were not arraigned in court, sparking speculation that they were being shielded from prosecution. The prosecutor told the court that they had only arrested two suspects and needed time to investigate and arrest more suspects, while the police maintained six suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder.
County Commissioner Michael Ole Tialal explained that the other four suspects were still being processed and were likely to be charged the following day. However, it was unclear which police station they were being held in. The Siaya police boss had ordered that all the suspects, including Kerubo, be taken to Siaya Police Station, but it emerged that Kerubo and her family were not taken there as instructed.
Prosecutor David Okatch asked the magistrate to allow him to hold Victor Ogolla and his brother Franklin Lutta for 11 more days to complete investigations. The suspects, however, argued that 11 days was too long, as they had already spent three days in police custody. Magistrate James Ongondo ruled that the prosecutor hold the suspects for 11 days instead of the 14 days requested.
A highly placed source revealed that there were plans to use Kerubo, her househelp, and her teenage daughter as witnesses, not suspects. The police in Ugunja claimed that Kerubo was too drunk on the night of the murder and could not have been part of the plot.
