The ODPP has amended the attempted murder charges against three people in connection with the case of baby Junior Sagini, whose eyes were gouged out, to severe bodily harm.
According to Prosecutor Hillary Kaino, the charge was amended based on evidence that the circumstances of the case did not justify the attempted murder accusation.
On Thursday, the suspects, Mr Alex Ochogo (Sagini’s cousin), Pacifica Nyakerario (aunt), and Rael Nyakerario Mayaka (grandmother), appeared in a Kisii court.
“The evidence as we have today plainly supported a charge of severe harm. “I have a substituted charge dated February 2, 2023 with me,” Mr Kaino explained as he sought to amend the charges.
The new charges were read to the suspects, who pled not guilty.
Ms Nyakerario and Ms Mayaka pled guilty to the new charges at first, but the prosecution and presiding magistrate claimed that they may not have understood the questions posed to them probing the Court Assistant to explain to them the charges.
They eventually pleaded not guilty, with Ms Mayaka, Sagini’s grandmother, accusing Mr Ochogo of gouging out the three-year-old boy’s eyes.
Sagini was residing in Marani, Kisii County, with his grandmother and father when the incident occurred. On December 13, 2022, he was discovered with his eyes gouged out in a maize plantation.
The aforementioned hearings will be held on February 24 and March 3, 2023.
