Turkana South MP Ariko, eight co-accused released on bail in assault case
Sammy Ekitela Esinyen (partially hidden, from left), Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko, Peter Edonga Kodet, and Joseph Ekitela Elikpan, four of the nine people charged in connection with allegedly assaulting a minor, who is a son of Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai, when they appeared at an Eldoret Law Courts in Uasin Gishu County on December 27, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Lawyer Amollo also questioned the interest the state counsel Mark Mugun had in the case and yet he is supposed to be in Kitale where he has been transferred by the Office of the Director of Public prosecutions in Nairobi.
- “Your honour, we do not understand what interest the state counsel Mark Mugun has in this case and yet he was transferred to Kitale as his new workstation,” posed Lawyer Amollo.
Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko and his eight co-accused persons have been released on Sh150,000 cash bail or Sh300,000 bond each after spending the festive weekend in police custody.
Also freed after being charged with assault were Peter Lokutuni, a former member of the Turkana County Assembly, David Loyopo, (blogger), Jamostar Silale (blogger), Bonfestars Ekale ( a local politician ), and Joseph Elikipan, a senior pastor in one of the churches in Turkana county.
Others are Peter Kodet (law enforcement officer at Turkana county), Sammy Esinyen alias Whensonko (manager NG-CDF_Turkana South constituency), and James Esinyen, former MCA.
The accused persons were charged on Friday with two counts, including assault of the son of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, Nimrod Ekamais Lomokurai, 22
They were all smiles in the dock as their lawyer Otiende Amollo, who is also Rarieda MP, pleaded with the court to have them freed on bond.
He argued that it is their constitutional right. The accused persons spent their weekend at Eldoret GK Remand Prison following an order issued by the Presiding Principal Magistrate Cheronoh Kesses on Friday when they appeared before her for plea-taking.
They all pleaded not guilty to count one where they were accused of assaulting Mr Lomokurai. The accused persons also denied the second count of conspiracy to defeat justice.
They are said to have committed the two offenses on April 29, 2024, at Cherina’s Homes within Turkana Central Sub County in Turkana County jointly with others, not before the court.
According to the court documents, they injured the governor’s son.
Ariko, who is also the ODM National Vice chairman, through his lawyer, told the court that he was surprised by the prosecution and investigating officer to bring their case to Eldoret for trial instead of Turkana where they said the offence happened.
Lawyer Amollo also questioned the interest the state counsel Mark Mugun had in the case and yet he is supposed to be in Kitale where he has been transferred by the Office of the Director of Public prosecutions in Nairobi.
“Your honour, we do not understand what interest the state counsel Mark Mugun has in this case and yet he was transferred to Kitale as his new workstation,” posed Lawyer Amollo.
The matter will be mentioned on January 20, 2025.
