Isaac Kuria, one of the key suspects in the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, has alleged that he was tortured by police while in detention and coerced into signing documents he did not understand. The revelation came on Tuesday as Kuria and co-accused Allan Ogola were presented before Milimani High Court judge Kanyi Kimondo to face murder charges.
Kuria, believed to have fired the fatal shot, refused to plead to the charges during the virtual court session. Despite a mental assessment confirming his fitness to stand trial, Kuria insisted he wanted to address the court physically before entering a plea.
“Mapolisi wameni torture na pia kuna mambo nataka nielezee mahakama (Police have tortured me and also there are issues I want to tell the court),” he told the judge.
Justice Kimondo acknowledged the suspect’s concerns but maintained that the virtual platform was legally valid for plea-taking. As a result, the judge entered a not guilty plea on Kuria’s behalf.
Ogola, a police officer who served as MP Were’s bodyguard, pleaded not guilty and applied for lenient bond terms. His lawyer, Chacha Mwita, claimed Ogola had been misled into making incriminating statements and would seek to have them struck out as inadmissible.
Kuria’s lawyer, Amisi Doris, informed the court she would also file for bond on behalf of her client. However, state counsel Vincent Monda opposed the release of both suspects, citing affidavits already filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Justice Kimondo directed the defence to file their formal bond applications and respond to the prosecution’s arguments ahead of a bond hearing scheduled for July 14.
The court appearance brings to five the number of individuals charged in connection to MP Were’s killing. Earlier, three other suspects William Imoli, Edwin Odhiambo, and Ebel Ochieng were charged at the Kibera High Court.
Investigations indicate the five conspired to kill the MP on April 30 in Nairobi. Two suspects, including Were’s driver Walter Owino, were released and are expected to testify as state witnesses. Seven others were released after failing to be linked to the crime.
