Silverio Omari
Two individuals accused of murdering a middle-aged man months ago on suspicion of being a robber have been charged with murder at the Eldoret High Court. Robert Kiplagat, a peasant farmer, and Alex Kiptoo, a student at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Nairobi campus, appeared before Judge Robert Wananda and denied the murder charge.
The court, which was packed with attendees, heard that the offense occurred on April 6, 2024, in the HZ area of Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The duo allegedly killed Martin Makori on that night.
The prosecution informed the court that a mental assessment of the accused confirmed their fitness to stand trial.
Kiptoo’s lawyer, Joseph Kiplagat, requested that his client be released on reasonable bail, noting that Kiptoo was a medical student eager to continue his studies. Similarly, the first accused, Robert Kiplagat, pleaded with the judge for reasonable bail terms, stating that he has two children who had completed their Form Four studies and were due to join universities in September.
Since their arrest in April, the accused have been held at Eldoret GK Prison.
Justice Wananda directed the prosecution to provide the defense lawyers with copies of witness statements. He also ordered the prosecution to present a pre-bail report within two weeks, when the bail application for the accused will be heard.
The case was scheduled for mention on July 29, 2024.
Dj Vnyash
