By Peter Ochieng
Gatundu South Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Kagombe was on Friday released on a Sh1 million cash bail and a surety of the similar amount, or an alternative bond of Sh2 million.
Appearing before justice Francis Olel at the Machakos High Court, the legislature pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
“The court has considered applications by both the prosecution and defence lawyers and hereby order that the accused person be released on Sh2 million bond or Sh1 million cash bail and surety of a similar amount,” ordered the judge.
The legislature was ordered to appear in court on July 17, 2024, when the case will be mentioned. Kagombe was charged with fatally shooting boda boda rider by name David Nduati Wataha on May 17, 2024, at Kimuchu area in Makongeni, Thika.
The MP had been in police custody for several days, after he was arrested for the alleged murder of the boda boda rider.
He was released after his advocates argued that as an MP, his roles involve representation and oversight, which he cannot play while in police custody.
“So, as such, the accused person will have some troubles travelling every time coming to this court for the case. It will be inconvenient for the accused person to continue travelling to this court. He isn’t a flight risk,” lawyer Brian Khaemba argued on behalf of the MP.
On Monday, judge Olel ordered that the MP undergoes a mental assessment at the Kiambu Level 5 hospital, on Wednesday, June 5.
“The accused should be released on anticipatory bond terms issued in Kiambu HRCC miscellaneous application no 804 of 24 which was opposed by the state counsel on the basis of information that has been filed and anticipatory bail was no longer applicable as it will apply before formal charges were filed and once filed the same anticipatory bail has been overtaken by events and the accused person will have to apply for a new bail/bond terms once formally charged before the High Court Machakos,” ruled the court.
The first term lawmaker was elected on the UDA party ticket.