A suspect in the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were stunned the Milimani High Court on Monday, June 24, with emotional claims of police torture and coercion.
Isaac Kuria, who reportedly pulled the trigger in the high-profile case, told the court that officers abused him while in custody and forced him to sign documents he did not understand. He refused to take a plea via video, saying he must be in court to narrate what he went through.
“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 said.
Kuria pleaded with the court to allow him a chance to explain the abuse he claims to have suffered while held at Kamiti Prison. Despite his emotional appeal, Justice Kimondo ruled that the virtual session remained legally valid and proceeded to enter a not-guilty plea on Kuria’s behalf.
Kuria appeared in court alongside Allan Ogola, the late MP Ong’ondo Were’s bodyguard, who is also facing murder charges in connection with the killing. He denied the charge and appealed for lenient bond terms.
His lawyer, Chacha Mwita, said Ogola was tricked into making a statement that later implicated him in the murder. Mwita urged the court to exclude that statement from the trial evidence, arguing it was obtained under false pretenses.
Kuria’s lawyer, Amisi Doris, plans to seek bail for him, but the state lawyer, Vincent Monda, was against it. He said the State wants to keep both men locked up.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo directed the defence teams to make formal submissions and respond to the prosecution’s arguments. He scheduled the next hearing for July 14, when the court will rule on the bond and bail applications.
