By Were Kelly | August 7, 2025
Lawyers representing Shadrack Omondi Okindo, popularly known as “Mosquito” on TikTok, have filed an application to cross-examine the investigating officer in a case where police are seeking custodial orders to detain him.
Appearing before Magistrate Richard Koech at the Kahawa Law Courts, defence counsel Andrew Muge argued that the State’s request to hold Okindo was based on untested allegations, including claims arising from his social media activity, mobilisation efforts, and content retrieved from his electronic devices.
“We seek to cross-examine the officer who swore the affidavit to test the validity of the evidence being used to justify this bid to limit our client’s liberty,” said Muge.
He insisted that any ‘compelling reasons’ for detention must be subjected to scrutiny, adding that a short cross-examination would suffice.
The State opposed the move, arguing that the case was still in its early, investigative stages. Prosecutors warned that allowing cross-examination at this point could compromise ongoing inquiries and expose the trajectory of the case.
“This is not a trial,” the prosecution told the court. “Cross-examining the officer now could reveal sensitive details and endanger the integrity of the investigation.”
Magistrate Koech will rule on whether the defence can cross-examine the officer before making a final decision on the State’s remand application.
Okindo was arrested on August 5 in Miritini, Mombasa, and presented in court two days later.
