17 Linked To Raila Odinga Helicopter Stoning Presented In Court

Seventeen people who are suspected to have been involved in the stoning of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s helicopter in Kabenes, Soy Sub County on April 1, 2022, have been presented in court.

The 17, a majority of who are youth and one woman are facing charges of attempted murder, incitement to violence, and creating a disturbance.

They were presented before Senior Resident Magistrate Lilian Kiplimo at the Eldoret Municipal Court.

The suspects however did not take a plea as the prosecution filed an application asking that they be allowed to detain them for 14 more days, to allow the police to finalize their investigations.

“Investigations into this matter are vast and involved a lot of traveling and getting information from across the country,” the prosecution told the court.

The court was also told that the suspects were ferried to the venue from different places and that should they be released, they are likely to abscond court, interfere with the collection of evidence, and interfere with witnesses.

The police also said they are yet to get witness statements which would require more time.

Police believe the 17 were sponsored to stone Raila’s helicopter as he consoled the family of Mzee Jackson Kibor.

Titus Bitok, the lawyer representing the suspects opposed the application saying all the arrested and from within Kabenes, Kuinet area and are not a flight risk as stated by the prosecution team.

“14 days are way too excessive. The prosecution ought to have known that after arrest is arraignment in court,” said Bitok.

In her ruling, the Magistrate said it was in the interest of both the prosecution and the suspects that the police be allowed time to conclude the investigation.

The police were however given 7 working days to conclude their investigations while the suspects are detained at the Eldoret police station.

The case will be mentioned on April 13, 2022.