Murder suspect Didmus Barasa released on Ksh10M bond, barred from setting foot in Bungoma

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 24 Aug, 2022 16:36 | 2 mins read
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa appears before court PHOTO/Courtesy

A Kakamega court has released Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa on Sh10M bond and a surety of Ksh5M in a murder case where he is suspected of having shot dead his rival's aide. The lawmaker has been in custody for 10 days.

Barasa allegedly shot and killed Brian Olunga, an aide to one of his opponents, after a disagreement at Chebukwani Polling Station on August 9.

While appearing before Kakamega High Court on Wednesday, August 24, the UDA politician pleaded not guilty to the murder charges levelled against him.

In his ruling on Wednesday, August 24, Kakamega High Court judge Patrick Otieno ordered the youthful legislature to stay away from Bungoma County as he may influence the witnesses.

The judge further directed the lawmaker to surrender his firearm and passport to the police.

"The accused has considerable influence in Bungoma County, where the crime allegedly happened," the judge said.

The vocal legislator was also warned against commenting on the case until it was heard and determined.

On Tuesday, August 9, Barasa is said to have shot 21-year-old Brian Olunga in the head at Chebukwabi polling station in Bungoma County.

Olunga was an aide to Barasa's opponent in the Kimilili Parliamentary race, Brian Khaemba of the DAP-K party.

The deceased was said to have argued with Barasa at the polling station where he had gone to witness vote counting.

"Upon entering the said polling station, he met Hon. Didmus Barasa the incumbent MP for the Kimilili constituency. After about three minutes, Mr. Brian Khaemba decided to leave the station and headed to his car, where Hon. Didmus Barasa followed him in the company of four men and ordered them not to allow him (Mr. Brian Khaemba) to leave the place. Still, Mr Khaemba's driver Joshua Nasokho defied the order and ignited the vehicle," a police report on the case read in part.

An autopsy last week revealed that Olunga died of a bullet that struck the right side of his head.
Ballistic experts at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory linked Barasa's firearm to the fatal shot that took away Olunga's life.

Related Topics