Turkana South MP John Ariko and Eight Others Freed on Bail in Governor’s Son Assault Case
The court granted the accused persons a cash bail of KSh 150,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 300,000 each.
Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko and eight co-accused individuals have been released on bail by an Eldoret court after spending a weekend in remand. The court granted the accused persons a cash bail of KSh 150,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 300,000 each.
The group faced charges related to the alleged assault of Nimrod Ekamais Lomorukai, the 22-year-old son of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai. They were also charged with conspiracy to defeat justice. The alleged offences reportedly took place on April 29, 2024, at Cherina’s Homes within Turkana Central Sub-County in Turkana County.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Cheronoh Kesse for plea-taking on Friday, all the accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Court documents indicated that the alleged assault caused actual bodily harm to Nimrod.
The accused individuals include notable figures from Turkana County: former MCA Peter Lokutuni, bloggers David Loyopo and Jamostar Silale, local politician Bonfestars Ekale, and senior pastor Joseph Elikipan. Also charged were Peter Kodet, a law enforcement officer in Turkana County; Sammy Esinyen, the NG-CDF manager for Turkana South Constituency; and former MCA James Esinyen.
Their lawyer, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who also serves as the ODM National Vice Chairperson, passionately argued for their release, citing their constitutional right to bond. “It is the constitutional right of my clients to be granted bond. The court must ensure fairness in this matter, as the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Amollo stated.
The group, who had spent three nights at Eldoret GK Remand Prison, appeared relieved and upbeat during the bail ruling. “We are grateful to the court for upholding justice and granting bail. This has been a difficult time for us,” one of the accused said outside the courtroom.
During the bail application, Amollo questioned why the case was being tried in Eldoret instead of Turkana, where the alleged offences occurred. “Your honor, it is surprising that this matter has been transferred to Eldoret instead of being handled in Turkana, where the alleged incident took place. This raises questions about the intent behind this decision,” said Amollo.
The lawyer also raised concerns over the involvement of state counsel Mark Mugun in the case, noting that Mugun had already been reassigned to Kitale. “We fail to understand why the state counsel, who has been transferred to Kitale, is still handling this case. This appears irregular and may suggest undue interest in the matter,” Amollo argued.
The charges have sparked significant public interest in Turkana County, with many residents expressing mixed reactions to the arrests and subsequent release of the accused. Supporters of the accused individuals have called the charges politically motivated, while others have urged for a fair and transparent judicial process.
Principal Magistrate Cheronoh Kesse set January 20, 2024, as the date for the case’s mention, marking the next phase of the legal proceedings. The accused individuals are expected to comply with their bail terms and attend court sessions as required.
As the case progresses, the spotlight remains on the court’s ability to ensure justice is served while navigating the high-profile nature of the matter.
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