Obado taken to court after arrest over guns, security tight

What you need to know:

  • Mr Obado was ushered into an empty court room, before Chief Magistrate Joyce Gandani, and the doors shut.
  • Police want the governor held for 15 days for investigations.
  • The defence team opposed the State's application for Mr Obado's further detention, saying it was malicious.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado was on Thursday morning taken to Kibera Law Courts following his arrest after eight guns were found in his homes and office.

Mr Obado was ushered into an empty court room, before Chief Magistrate Joyce Gandani, and the doors shut. Security was tight.

DETENTION

The county chief was arrested on Wednesday for questioning by officers of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). This was after the firearms were found in raids by officers of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Mr Obado is accused of using proxies, among them his relatives, to siphon Sh2 billion from the coffers of the county government, according to an affidavit filed in court by the EACC.

Police want the governor held for 15 days for investigations.

The team told the court that when the governor was questioned, he did not give a satisfactory reason for having the weapons.

Detectives will visit his homes again.

"We need ample time to ascertain that the [guns] were not used in commission of an offence. Why should he be in possession of three guns without a permit," the prosecution said, noting they were found in his rural home.

"He is licensed to own one firearm."

Migori Governor Okoth Obado arrives at Kibera Law Courts in Nairobi on November 15, 2018, following his arrest after guns were found in his homes the previous day. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

POSSIBLE CHARGES

Possible charges at this stage are possession of firearms and ammunition.

The prosecution said the governor has been informed of this.

The defence team opposed the State's application for Mr Obado's further detention, saying it was malicious.

The court adjourned briefly for the prosecution to brief the defence, which includes lawyer Cliff Ombeta.

The magistrate will rule on whether Mr Obado should be freed or detained further.

RAIDS

The EACC officers confiscated eight firearms, several bank statements and electronics from the county chief's houses and office.

Five of the firearms were found in Nairobi and three in Migori, sources said.

DCI boss George Kinoti said the firearms will be subjected to ballistic examinations and verification of certificates at the Central Firearms Bureau.

Mr Obado is also under investigation for allegedly using proxies, among them his relatives, to siphon Sh2 billion from the coffers of the county government. This is according to an affidavit filed in court by the anti-corruption watchdog.

He is also facing murder charges in the case of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, who was his girlfriend. In this case, he was released from Industrial Area Remand Prison in Nairobi on a cash bail of Sh5 million.