Ken Lugwili, a firearms dealer who was arrested in connection with 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition, has been released on a cash bail of Ksh 300,000 after being arraigned at Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu.
The prosecution was seeking five days detention order to allow completion of investigations into the matter.
Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache however ruled that the prosecution had not demonstrated how the accused would interfere with forensic investigations as they claimed.
In her ruling, the magistrate directed that the accused avail himself to the investigating officers when directed to do so.
“He shall report to the Investigating Officer as and when directed and not more than twice a week,” stated the court.
The prosecution side told the court that they will seek to determine whether Lugwili is a licensed civilian firearm holder and whether his two companies SILKEN security firm and VIC Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms and whether the recovered firearms are registered with the Firearms Licensing Board.
The Anti-terror police unit also wants to analyse his phones to probe the communication between Lugwili and other persons as they believe he could be having connections to some organised criminal groups or terror groups.
The police also want Lugwili’s financial records to determine whether there are any links between him and gun smugglers or terror networks.
Lugwili’s lawyers Simon Mburu and Anthony Kogo pushed for his release on cash bail arguing he is not a flight risk, has cooperated with the authorities and is in need of medical attention as he suffers from diabetes and hypertension.
The case will be mentioned on July 7,2022
