| Written by Joyce Nzomo |
In a recent hearing, the prosecution successfully moved to have the bail and bond terms of an accused individual revoked after he allegedly attempted to leave the country using a newly acquired Cameroonian passport.
The accused’s previous travel document had expired on 20th March 2025. On 5th March 2025, he obtained a new Cameroonian passport valid until 5th March 2030.
Using this passport, he attempted to travel to Manila, Philippines, via JKIA on 19th
August 2025 but was intercepted by authorities. A red notice had been issued for the
accused, which facilitated his arrest.
The prosecution argued that this action constituted a breach of bail terms, making the
accused a flight risk.
They requested that his bond be cancelled, stating that allowing him further bond would undermine the course of justice as the case remains pending.
The accused is facing charges where he is accused of conspiring to defraud Hayet Amri of USD 26,000 by falsely claiming he could sell her an alleged 20kg gold consignment from Kenya to Dubai.
In his defense, the accused claimed he was unaware that he was prohibited from traveling, asserting that his trip was for surgery on his paralyzed right arm, and that he intended to return within five days, leaving his children in Kenya. And if he was fleeing the country he shouldn’t have used Jomo Kenyatta International airport.
The prosecution countered, emphasizing that bail terms clearly required any travel to be approved by the court.
The accused should have submitted a formal request outlining his itinerary why he needs to travel, duration, and purpose of the trip, and return his passport after the trip.
Prosecution noted that the accused had legal counsel who should have advised him, and that ignorance of the law is not a defense.
The court, taking judicial notice of the prosecution’s application, agreed that the bail terms were breached.
Consequently, the application to cancel the accused’s bond was allowed. The original bail terms had been set on 17th December 2024.
