LAWYER WILLIS OTIENO OPPOSES DETENTION OF MEN ARRESTED WITH SUSPECTED EXPLOSIVES NEAR JIMI WANJIGI’S HOME
Two men, Kennedy Ochieng Asewe and Josiah Augo Otimo, have been arrested and are currently held at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
They are under investigation for possession of four objects suspected to be hand grenades, which were found in a vehicle outside politician Jimi Wanjigi’s home in Muthaiga, Nairobi.
The arrest occurred on August 9 in the Soweto area of Dandora, Nairobi. The suspects were reportedly in the vehicle where the suspicious items were discovered before fleeing the scene, leading to the apprehension of two other men.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has applied for a seven-day detention order to further investigate the case.
The request is under review by Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, who will decide whether to grant the extension. Inspector George Karanja of Nairobi Central DCI has emphasized the need for this period to determine the intended use of the objects and to conduct expert analysis to confirm if they are indeed explosives.
The investigation also includes checking the licensing status of three mobile phones found with the suspects, as well as other items such as two pocket phones, seven chargers, and an unrelated national identity card.
Willis Otieno, the lawyer representing Asewe and Otimo, opposes the DCI’s application. Otieno contends that his clients are caught in a political dispute between Wanjigi and the state and argues for their release to avoid further complications. He believes that their detention is unjust and that they should be released to allow the more significant political issues to play out.
In addition to Asewe and Otimo, two other suspects, Dancun Odhiambo and Calvin Ochieng, are also in custody at Central Police Station.
They are being questioned regarding the same items. Odhiambo and Ochieng had been remanded for seven days by Chief Magistrate Barnard Ochoi, but Otieno has requested a revision of this decision, hoping that Chief Magistrate Ochoi will rule in his favor.
The court’s decision on whether to detain Asewe and Otimo or release them on bail or bond is expected on Tuesday. The outcome will influence the ongoing investigations and the legal status of all involved parties.
