Court detains Boda boda riders, conductors accused of sexually assaulting a female motorist for 15 days

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Some of the bodaboda riders at Milimani Law Courts. Photo/Suek.

Bodaboda riders and conductors accused of sexually assaulting a female motorist in Nairobi have been detained for 15 days.

Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe allowed the application to detain the 16 suspects to allow police to complete investigations.

The court ruled that the nature of the matter brings up controversy and police should be accorded necessary support to conclude investigations.

“Police should be accorded necessary support to conclude investigations. I am satisfied that the application is merited,” ruled the Magistrate.

The court noted that even though some of the suspects may be exonerated by investigations or the trial, police need be granted time to conclude investigations.

The police had sought 20 days to detain the suspects. However the Magistrate granted them 15 days on grounds that the suspects.

“Since the suspects have been in custody since 8th March, I shall grant 15 days,” ruled the Magistrate.

The matter will be mentioned on 24th March 2022.

Investigating officer’s grounds

The investigating officer Inspector Lyvonne Mwanzia told the court she needs time to request for call data from service providers so that they can trace the movements of the accused persons.

“I need to take the suspects’ mobile phones to cybercrime unit DCI headquarters for forensic analysis,” officer Mwanzia told court.

The court further heard that the investigating officer needs time to retrieve CCTV footages from Barabara Tano along Wangari Mathai rd where the incident horrific incident happened for forensic analysis.

In addition, the police need time to arrest the rest of the suspects.

The victim was involved in a minor road accident with a boda boda rider along Wangari Mathai rd on 4th March 2022.

“Suddenly, a group of bodaboda riders who at Barabara Tano stage moved to where her vehicle had stopped and attacked her accusing her of hitting one of their colleagues, the officer testified.

They started assaulting her sexually and stole her mobile phone.

Those presented in court include James Mutinda, Samuel Wafula, Charles Omondi, Japheth Bosire, Hassan Forah, Wanjuki Lincon, Joseph Ngugi, Lenson Fundi, Harrison Maina, Benjamin Ngure, Ignatius Shitekha, Martin Kamau, Shadrack Ambia, Shadrack Kioko, Cliff Gikobi and Joseph Kibui.

According to the DCI, a hunt for the mastermind of the offence Zachary Nyaora Obadia is ongoing.