A man who blackmailed Kakamega Governor Fernandes Odinga Barasa demanding Ksh240 Million in order not to expose his nudes was on Tuesday, March 20, 2024, charged at a Kibera Law Court.
William Simiyu Matere alias Elijah tried to extort Ksh240 million from Barasa in order not to leak nude photos which he said were taken when the governor sought the services of a witch doctor so as to win his gubernatorial seat in the 2022 elections.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann Mwangi, Simiyu pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and demanding property with menaces from the Governor.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) informed the court that Simiyu committed the offences on diverse dates between December 2023 and March 18, 2024.
According to investigations conducted by police, the accused person is said to have had some nude photos of the governor and used them to extort him contrary to the law.
It is said that the suspect had in December last year demanded a bounty of Ksh270 million from the county boss but later lowered his demand to Ksh240 million.
DCI detectives are said to have arrested Simiyu on Tuesday and detained him at the Kilimani police station ahead of his arraignment in court.
Simiyu pleaded with the court to release him on reasonable bail terms saying that he is a man of humble means.
The suspect further told the court that he would abide by all conditions set once released on bail.
The prosecution however did not oppose his release on bond terms but urged the court to grant Simiyu bail terms that are commensurate to the amount stated in the charge sheet.
In a brief ruling, Magistrate Mwangi ordered Simiyu to be released on a Ksh2 million bond with a surety of a similar amount.
The case will be mentioned after two weeks for a pre-trial hearing.
