State to go ahead with Raila Odinga attacker’s case
Mr Lengo Karisa Mdzomba at the Kwale Law Courts on October 3, 2014. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |
What you need to know:
- Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alexander Muteti said DPP Keriako Tobiko would personally deal with the case because of major implications that could arise from it.
- The case will be mentioned on October 7.
The State indicated on Friday that it will go ahead with the case against the man who hit opposition leader Raila Odinga and Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alexander Muteti told a Kwale court that Mr Lengo Karisa Mdzomba would remain in custody until the Director of Public Prosecutions gives direction on the case.
Mr Mdzomba has pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting the two leaders and a third one of causing a disturbance during the Monday rally at Baraza Park in Kinango.
Mr Muteti said the third offence was not bailable.
He said DPP Keriako Tobiko would personally deal with the case because of major implications that could arise from it.
“It is in the public domain that cases of violence at rallies are on the increase and proper legal action needs to be taken to prevent them.”
The case will be mentioned on October 7.
DISOWNED LAWYER
In the morning, Mr Mdzomba disowned a lawyer from Kithi and Company Advocates, who had gone to represent him, maintaining that he was guilty.
He said he would not change his plea “because the public is aware of what happened”.
“I ask to be pardoned for attacking my chairman. I did so because I have a tumour and makes me violent when it pains,” he said, as he unbuttoned his shirt to show a growth in his armpit.
He said had he not been wrestled to the ground, he would have hit many other people.
Meanwhile, Kwale Kaya elders on Friday appealed to Governor Mvurya to forgive Mr Mdzomba.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on the governor in his office, Kaya elders secretary-general Vincent Mwachiro said what happened on Monday was not right, according to their culture.
Mr Mwachiro said that among the Miji Kenda, it was wrong for a “chosen leader to be disgraced in public” and they would not remain silent on the issue.
“We were embarrassed and that is why we have come to apologise on behalf of the attacker,” he said.
They asked the governor to find some time and talk to Mr Mdzomba to show that he bore no ill-will against him.
Mr Mvurya thanked the elders and said he had forgiven Mr Mdzomba.
