Kerugoya residents storm court over release of 'drug dealer'
What you need to know:
- Residents said Justice Richard Limo released the convict under unclear circumstances a few weeks after he was handed an 11-year jail term.
Led by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, the locals claimed the man is now threatening them with death.
Mr Gitari termed it sad a man who had convicted of a serious offence is now free.
A judicial officer who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter explained that the man was released on a Sh500,000 bond pending the hearing of his appeal
Business was disrupted at the High Court in Kerugoya on Monday after hundreds of residents stormed the premises to demand the removal of a judge they accused of freeing a drug convict.
They said Justice Richard Limo released the convict under unclear circumstances a few weeks after he was handed an 11-year jail term.
Led by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, the locals claimed the man is now threatening them with death.
Carrying placards and chanting anti-Limo slogans, they marched for 10 kilometres from Karaini village to the court to demand he be removed.
“We want Justice Limo sent home and be investigated for releasing a drug trafficker who is now threatening residents with death,” said Mr Gitari
The residents tried to force their way into the court but heavily armed police officers stood firm.
The officers exchanged bitter words with the demonstrators and the MP as tension reigned at the court. Judicial employees locked themselves in their offices for fear of attack.
But the officers in full combat gear locked the gates and repulsed the demonstrators.
Mr Gitari termed it sad a man who had convicted of a serious offence is now free.
BOND
He vowed to ensure that the man was re-arrested “before he continues to destroy young people with drugs”.
The MP said 11 people, including a secondary school student, have died in his constituency due to drug abuse.
“Bhang trafficking in my constituency is the order of the day. Young people have died and others have been reduced into zombies. This is unacceptable. Enough is enough and never again shall we lose more lives because of drugs,” he said
“I’ll not relent until Justice Limo is removed and trafficker locked up,” said Mr Gitari who also accused an officer in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of influencing release of the said convict.
A judicial officer who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter explained that the man was released on a Sh500,000 bond pending the hearing of his appeal.
“Due process was followed. The law provided that a person convicted of an offence and jailed can be released on bond pending an appeal,” the official told the Nation.
