Court grants bail to 15 officers in killing of Ruto campaign IT experts

The High Court has released on bond 15 security officers accused of murdering two Indian nationals linked to President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign team and their Kenyan taxi driver. The trio was abducted in July 2022 and later killed during what authorities described as a multi-agency security operation.

Justice Francis Rayola Olel, sitting at the Kiambu High Court, ruled that each officer be freed on a Sh3 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh1 million.

He dismissed State arguments that releasing the suspects posed a threat to witnesses and national security, stating that such fears were unproven.

The officers, drawn from the defunct Special Service Unit (SSU), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), are facing charges over the killing of Indian nationals Mohammed Zaid Samikidwai and Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan, alongside taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania Mwange.

They were reportedly abducted near Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi before their deaths.

In his ruling, Justice Olel emphasized that the prosecution had not shown sufficient grounds to deny bail, pointing out that the accused were Kenyan citizens with family ties and that investigations into the case had already been concluded.

“Even though the charge faced is grave, all the accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise,” the judge said. He further noted that concerns over possible interference with witnesses and threats to public safety were speculative.

The court set tough conditions for their release, including surrender of passports, restrictions from leaving the court’s jurisdiction, and prohibition from contacting witnesses. Any violation of these terms, Justice Olel warned, would lead to cancellation of bail.

The accused, who were arrested between October 21, 2022, and June 5, 2023, include: Peter Muthee Gachiku, James Kibosek Tanki, Joseph Kamau Mbugua, Simon Muhugu Gikonyo, David Chepching Kipsoi, Stephen Luseno Matunda, John Mwangi Kamau, Paul Njogu Muriithi, Hillary Kipchumba Limo, Fredrick Thuku Kamau, John Macharia Wanjiku, Joseph Mwenda Mbaya, Bonface Otieno Mtulla, Elikana Njeru Mugendi, and Micheal Kiplangat Bett.

The case now proceeds to trial with the suspects out on bond under the strict court conditions.