Bodaboda rider suspect in Kasipul MP murder held for 20 days
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said Barasa told them he was paid Sh50,000 for the assignment.
A boda boda rider accused of ferrying the killer who shot dead Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were will remain in police custody for 20 days as investigations continue.
Amos Barasa appeared before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where police had requested to hold him for 30 working days.
Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi allowed the application in part, saying 20 days would be sufficient.
"Consequently, the said application to detain the respondent at the Parklands Police Station is allowed but for 20 days in the first instance," she ruled.
The magistrate also granted police permission to access Barasa’s phone and two SIM cards.
The matter will be mentioned again on June 4.
In court papers, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said Barasa told them he was paid Sh50,000 for the assignment.
He was arrested on Tuesday night in an operation in Kibera slums.
According to police, Barasa admitted to being the one who rode the motorcycle that transported the gunman from Parliament to the scene of the shooting and back.
The motorcycle was recovered from his house in Laini Saba.
Police said Barasa told them he was unaware the target was an MP and only realised it later when he heard locals talking about the incident.
After the killing, Barasa reportedly dropped another passenger in Kiamaiko before returning to Kibera, where he stayed until his arrest.
In court, Barasa pleaded for better conditions while in custody, saying he had been sleeping on the floor.
"I am kindly requesting to be given warm clothes because the police cells are cold and I have a chest problem," he said.
The investigating officer assured the court that Barasa would be properly taken care of.
Barasa’s arrest brings the number of suspects held over the April 30 killing of the MP near City Mortuary on Valley Road to 12.
