Turkana MP Refuses Prison Entry, Claims Illness in Shocking Twist After Assault Charges
Ariko was among nine individuals charged earlier that day before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Cherono Kesse in connection with the alleged assault of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai’s son
A police vehicle transporting Turkana South MP John Namoit departs Eldoret Central police Station on Saturday after he reportedly refused to spend the night at Eldoret GK Prison, citing illness
Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko, who also serves as the ODM National Vice Chairman, spent Friday night at the Eldoret Central Police Station instead of the Eldoret GK Remand Prison after claiming to be unwell.
Ariko was among nine individuals charged earlier that day before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Cherono Kesse in connection with the alleged assault of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai’s son.
The nine accused, who included prominent political and community figures, were remanded at the Eldoret GK Prison pending a ruling on their bond or bail application, scheduled for Monday. They had pleaded not guilty to two counts: assault and conspiracy to defeat justice.
The accused individuals include former Turkana County Assembly member Peter Lokutuni, bloggers David Loyopo and Jamostar Silale, local politician Bonfestars Ekale, senior pastor Joseph Elikipan, law enforcement officer Peter Kodet, NG-CDF Turkana South constituency manager Sammy Esinyen (alias Whensonko), and former MCA James Esinyen.
A stir arose when MP Ariko, citing illness, refused to disembark from the police lorry transporting him and the other accused to the remand facility. He requested to be taken back to the central police station and later sought medical attention.
The Officer in Charge of the Eldoret GK Remand Prison allowed the MP to be returned to the police station, where he spent the night. Subsequently, he was escorted to a private hospital under police supervision.
Samuel Lomodo, the Leader of Minority at the Turkana County Assembly, confirmed the MP’s illness, stating, “Hon. John Ariko could not spend the night at the Eldoret GK Remand Prison as directed by the court since he fell sick shortly after arriving at the facility alongside the other accused persons.”
Lomodo added that prison authorities declined to admit the MP and instead referred him back to the police station. “Plans were made to ensure he receives proper medical care at a hospital in Eldoret,” Lomodo said, without disclosing details of the illness. He assured the public that Ariko’s health was under control and that there was no cause for alarm.
The MP, along with his co-accused, had been arrested on Thursday night by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations but was released before presenting himself in court the following day.
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