Police constable Josephat Makori, accused of orchestrating a teargas canister at an Azimio la Umoja rally attended by Martha Karua in Kisii on Thursday, was arraigned and charged with attempted assault in Kisumu law courts.
The accused was charged with attempting to injure by explosive in front of Kisumu Chief Magistrate Teresa Odera. He, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Odera, on the other hand, ordered Makori to be held at the Railways police station for ten days pending a court decision on whether to release him on bond.
The magistrate stated in her ruling that the prosecution team, led by Maureen Odumbe, had convinced her beyond doubt that releasing the accused on bond would endanger his life because he was allegedly rescued from a lynch mob after the incident occurred.
The prosecution claimed that Makori’s safety was jeopardized because the incident occurred in his home county, where he is well known by residents. “Unless there is a compelling reason to deny bond, accused persons are generally entitled to bond. The bond also serves to ensure that an accused person returns to court “The court stated.
“According to the law, one of the factors to be considered is whether the accused person will be safe.” As a result, the prosecution has demonstrated that the accused’s safety is not guaranteed if he is released on bond at this point. “I will therefore order that he be remanded at Railways police station for ten days for his own protection.” The presiding Magistrate then proceeded.
In mitigation, Makori told the court that he needed to be released on bond so that he could attend to his pregnant wife that he also admitted that he was injured during the incident and had received treatment at the Kisumu County Referral Hospital.
The case will be heard on July 26, 2022.
