A Busia-based magistrate has recused herself from a defilement case involving Bunyala West County Assembly Member Carlbenz Okonya due to security concerns.
The magistrate in charge of the case in Port Victoria Law Courts is said to have transferred it to Busia Principal Magistrate Edna Nyaloti because she did not feel comfortable and was afraid for her life.
Magistrate Nyaloti, who expressed her fears while presiding over the case, stated that if her safety is threatened, she will be forced to seek directions from Chief Justice Martha Koome.
On Tuesday, the MCA was arraigned and charged with defiling a 14-year-old girl in Busia town on August 27.
Okonya pleaded not guilty to two counts of defiling a schoolgirl and having carnal knowledge of a minor, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions, but was detained for two days after the prosecution filed an application.
The prosecution, led by Faith Kaberia and Abraham Mumo, sought a 14-day detention order and opposed bail and bond requests, claiming the politician would interfere with witnesses.
