The Director of Public Prosecution has opposed the release of two police officers charged with murder after shooting two civilians in Garissa on bond.
Adan Ibrahahim Salat and Abdirahman Roble Samow were charged with the murder of Aden Abdi Madhobe and Mudhidin Aden Mudhow at Soko Ngombe Area of Garissa Township on 25th July 2020.
According to the prosecution, the two DCI officers will interfere with the key witnesses who are members of the Garissa township community living with their families and conducting businesses in the area and make them apprehensive and reluctant to give their crucial testimony in court if released on bond.
“The families of the deceased persons also reside in the same area and are eager to give their testimony and hear the testimony of the witnesses and see the court dispense justice and the Court and the wider criminal justice system has a duty to ensure the protection of victims of crime and provide a platform for their views to be provided to court,” says the DPP.
The court further heard that the accused persons face two murder charges which are serious offences whose penalty is death if found guilty.
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In addition, the prosecution also added that there has been public anger in relation to acts of police abuse within the country which have caused deaths of innocent Kenyans.
The accused on the other hand, opposed the prosecution’s application saying they should be granted bond as they have not been involved in any previous criminal activities and were mistakenly arrested due to confusion caused by fracas in Garissa Township on material day.
Salat and Samow further said they are family men and not a flight risk.
They added that if the prosecution is apprehensive they will interfere with witnesses, they will stay away from their station in Garissa and stay with their relatives in Nairobi.
