Nairobi, Kenya — A police officer accused of killing his colleague following an altercation at a bar in Gigiri, Nairobi, will remain in remand after the High Court declined to grant him bail.
Police Constable Kipkosgey Limo was charged in April with the murder of fellow officer Eric Muga on March 9. Another officer, Corporal Philip Kae, was seriously injured in the same incident and remains hospitalised.
The court heard that Limo allegedly shot the two officers after a dispute erupted at a popular bar in Gigiri.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed Limo’s bail application, citing concerns that the accused might interfere with witnesses or abscond from trial. The state also noted that Limo was difficult to apprehend following the shooting.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Kanyi Kimondo agreed with the prosecution, stating that several witnesses in the case are police officers who had previously worked with the accused.
“I find that the likelihood of interference with evidence or witnesses is not far-fetched,” the judge observed.
The court also took note of the accused’s conduct after the incident. Investigators reported that Limo hid under a car and refused to surrender, prompting officers to use teargas to smoke him out.
While Limo told the court that he sought cover under the vehicle to protect himself from unknown attackers, Justice Kimondo ruled that his failure to surrender raised serious concerns.
“On the totality of the materials presented by the prosecution and based on the accused’s own admissions, I find that the likelihood of absconding is high,” the judge stated.
Justice Kimondo concluded that there were strong and compelling reasons to deny bail at this stage.
“The upshot is that there are strong and compelling reasons for the denial of bail, and I accordingly decline to grant bail at this stage,” he ruled.
The judge further directed that the trial be fast-tracked in the interest of justice. The case will be mentioned for pre-trial directions on July 30.
By Were Kelly
