By Viola Kosome,
The nine Kisumu County askaris who were arrested for brutalising a woman trader by dragging her behind pick-up on tarmac on Wednesday, March 24, have been charged in a Kisumu court.
Victor Ochieng, Kevin Omondi, George Ochieng, Paul Ochieng, Faith Akoth, Martin Ogwa, Japheth Odero, Vincent Otieno and Joseph Orwa appeared before the Kisumu's Resident Magistrate Martha Agutu.
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They were charged with the offense of causing grievous harm.
The court heard that on March 24, 2021, within the township in Kisumu Central Sub-County jointly with three others who did not appear before the court, they unlawfully did grievous harm to Beatrice Atieno.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
While in the courtroom, the accused persons were represented by Gerald Kadede and Mariela Awuor and pleaded with the court to release them on reasonable bond terms.
"All their details are with the county government and they are not a flight risk. They are also the sole breadwinners of their families. I, therefore, pray that you release them on reasonable bond terms and ask that we be supplied with the copies of the charge sheet and witnesses' statement," said Kadede.
Lawyers Jackline Ingutia, Onsongo and Joshua Nyamori, who represented the victim in court, told the magistrate that they received information that the accused persons have been threatening their client and asked the court to issue an order barring them from contracting the victim.
The magistrates ordered the suspects freed on Sh50,000 cash bail or Sh80,000 bond each.
Further, the court warned them that their bonds will be cancelled if they contact the victim.
The case will be mentioned on April 13 and heard on April 20.
