Didmus Barasa released on Ksh.10M bond, ordered to surrender firearms, keep off Bungoma home

Kimilili MP-elect Didmus Barasa was on Wednesday released on a Ksh.10 million bond, with a surety of Ksh.5 million, following his arraignment in court to take plea for a murder charge.

In granting bond, Justice Paul Otieno ordered that Barasa should not set foot in his Bungoma County home or interact with any witnesses in the case until they all give their testimonies in court.

Barasa has likewise been ordered to surrender all firearms in his possession to the National Police Service as well as his passports.

The court correspondingly granted Barasa's application to pick his belongings at his Bungoma premises albeit under the watchful eye of police who were ordered to accompany him to his abode.

The case will be mentioned on November 14, 2022.

The MP-elect denied the murder charge on Monday with his lawyer, Nathan Tororei, urging the court to release him on bail.

Barasa is accused of shooting dead one Brian Olunga, an associate of his political rival Brian Khaemba on August 9, 2022.

According to police, the shooting occurred when Khaemba went to Chebukwabi Polling Station at around 6pm on the day of the incident to witness the vote counting process.

He however met Barasa at the polling station and an argument ensued between them, hence he decided to leave just a few moments after arriving.

Khaemba headed towards his car but Barasa reportedly followed him in the company of four men and ordered them not to allow him  (Khaemba) to leave.

Khaemba's driver is said to have defied Barasa's order and ignited his vehicle which prompted the legislator to allegedly open fire on Olunga, who succumbed to injuries en route to hospital.