NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27- Four suspects implicated in the murder of Nairobi based lawyer Willie Kimani in 2016 were in court Tuesday where they sought to be granted bail.
The suspects, Administration police officer’s, Senior sergeant Fredrick Leliman, Sergeant Leonard Mwangi, constable Silvia Wanjiku and corporal Stephen Chebulet are accused of conspiring and murdering human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwendwa and driver Joseph Muiruri.
Appearing before Justice Jessie Lessit, the prosecution, the law society of Kenya (LSK) and the family of the slain lawyer and the two victims however asked the court to reject the renewed bid by the accused persons to be freed on bail.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Nicholas Mutuku told Justice Jessie Lessit that fresh applications filed by the accused persons is yet another attempt to delay the trial which is almost coming to an end.
The prosecutor said the lives of the accused would be at risk if released now. He said when the killings occurred, there were protests in Nairobi and in Mlolongo area and releasing the five at this stage may trigger more protest.
The suspects have in recent years been denied bail at least twice.
The prosecution also argued that they have tendered volumes of evidence linking the accused to the killings and there is a high likely hood they may abscond once released on bail.
Meanwhile, the accused persons who recently tested positive for Covid-19, and later declared COVID free, had used their status as a new ground for bail.
The prosecution however said the correctional facilities have guaranteed their safety moving forward and as such their argument to be released is not sufficient.
Justice Lessit who did not grant them bail Tuesday , is expected to mention the case on October 30.
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