Silverio OmariMawanda Asuman, a Ugandan herbalist, has denied any involvement in the brutal murder of Ferdinand Ongeri, the 40-year-old deputy chairman of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Kisumu branch. Ongeri’s decomposed body was found dumped in a Nandi County forest five years ago.
Asuman, who had been called to defend himself before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, stated that he was in Uganda when he first learned of the tragic incident. He described Ongeri, who had been both a client and a friend, as someone he had no reason to harm.
The herbalist, who operates his business in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, argued that no substantial evidence had been presented in court to link him to Ongeri’s death. He also clarified that a bag seized from him by police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) — initially suspected to belong to the deceased — was, in fact, his own. The bag contained Asuman’s personal belongings, including his passport, national ID, and practicing certificate.
Asuman is facing charges related to Ongeri’s death, which allegedly occurred between July 24 and July 27, 2019, in Kimondi Forest, Nandi County. He has denied the charges and was denied bail after the prosecution claimed he was a flight risk.
Ongeri, who had been missing from his station after reportedly negotiating a promotion for nurses with Kisumu County health officials, was later found dead by a herdsman following an extensive search by his colleagues, friends, and family.
The case will be mentioned again on January 16, 2025, to confirm whether both the prosecution and defense have filed their submissions before the judge.
Dj Vnyash
