Athletics agent Rosa out on cash bail as probe continues
What you need to know:
- Lawyer Kigen had opposed the request to defer plea taking, saying it was an attempt by the prosecution to continue holding the accused in custody.
- Kigen argued Rosa has been in Kenya long enough and is therefore not a flight risk.
Athletics agent Federico Rosa, who is facing doping allegations, has been released on a Sh300,000 cash bail.
Kibera Principal Magistrate Benard Ochoi on Friday allowed an application by Rosa through lawyer Katwa Kigen that he be released on bail as investigations continue.
The prosecution told the court that they needed more time before Rosa could plead to charges they intend to prefer against him.
“The medical records of the complainant in this case, Mr Elijah Kiprono Boit, are very crucial. We need a week to allow the investigating officer to retrieve the documents, before the accused can plead to the charges,” explained the prosecution.
Lawyer Kigen had opposed the request to defer plea taking, saying it was an attempt by the prosecution to continue holding the accused in custody.
Kigen argued Rosa has been in Kenya long enough and is therefore not a flight risk.
The magistrate observed that since the prosecution did not oppose the request by lawyer Kigen to have Rosa released on bail, the court allowed the request but directed Rosa to provide a contact person in the country who can establish his whereabouts in case he is not reachable.
Separately, the war on doping intensified on Friday after two more suspects were taken to court.
Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Gandani allowed police officers attached to Anti-Narcotics Unit to continue holding Joseph Karuri Mwangi who operates a clinic in Eldoret town, and Ken Kipchumba Limo, a clinical officer in Eldoret, for 10 days.
The prosecution told the court that investigations on the two relate to two other suspects who were produced before the court earlier.
However, since they were arrested on July 7, which was a public holiday, the investigators need more time to complete investigations hence their request for additional days.
“The investigations involve the reputation of sports especially athletics in the country. If the suspects are released, they will interfere with investigations and may also abscond based on the seriousness of the allegations against them,” the prosecution argued.
The case will be mentioned on July 18.
