Silverio Omari
Mawanda 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 discovered in a forest in Nandi County five years ago. Asuman, who had been named as the prime suspect in the case, appeared before Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, asserting that he was in Uganda at the time he learned of the tragic death of Ongeri, a client and a friend.
Operating his herbal business in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, Asuman told the judge that no concrete evidence had been presented to link him to the murder. He further explained that a bag confiscated by police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which was initially suspected to belong to the deceased, was actually his own. The bag was found to contain his personal items, including his passport, national ID, and professional practicing certificate.
Asuman is facing charges related to the killing of Ongeri, which allegedly occurred between July 24 and July 27, 2019, in Kimondi Forest, Nandi County. He denied the charges and was denied bail after the prosecution argued that he posed a flight risk.
Ongeri had been reported missing after successfully negotiating a promotion for nurses with officials from Kisumu County’s health department. His body was later discovered by a herdsman during a search by family, colleagues, and friends.
The case is set for mention on January 16, 2025, to confirm whether both the prosecution and defense have filed their submissions before the judge.
Dj Vnyash
