Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa to appear in court over rival’s aide murder claim
Kimilili MP-elect Didmus Barasa is due in court on Monday for the shooting death of a rival’s aide on election day.
Following his arrest on Friday, Barasa spent the weekend in a Kisumu police cell.
He was driven to Kisumu for his safety, according to police.
He has denied shooting and killing Brian Olunga at a polling station.
Police intend to seek permission to hold him longer in order to process him for a murder plea.
This will include a mental health evaluation, which is required before a person is charged with murder.
They will also have to search his homes for additional evidence.
Barasa surrendered to the Bungoma DCI and stated his willingness to cooperate in the investigation.
He was accompanied by two lawyers as he walked to the police station around 10.20 a.m. Bungoma County Criminal Investigations Officer Joseph Ondoro stated that the incident was still being investigated. He stated that they were questioning the MP-elect about murder allegations and had taken statements from at least five witnesses.
Barasa has been missing since August 9, when he was charged with the shooting.
He has since applied to the court for anticipatory bail.
The incident occurred at Chebukwabi polling station, where Barasa and his DAP-K opponent Brian Khaemba were to witness the vote counting.
According to preliminary findings, the incident occurred when an altercation between the two occurred, prompting Khaemba to leave and go to his car.
“Barasa followed him in company of four men and ordered them not to allow him (Khaemba) to leave the place, but Khaemba’s driver Joshua Nasokho defied the order and ignited the vehicle,” said Ondoro, citing witnesses.
Barasa allegedly drew a pistol, aimed at Khaemba’s aide Olunga, and shot him in the forehead.
On arrival at the Kimilili sub-county hospital, he was pronounced dead. A backup team was dispatched to the area to search for the MP.
The legislator is a licensed firearms owner. The weapon had previously been withdrawn by police, but the MP went to court and obtained an order reinstating the weapon he is suspected of using in the incident.
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The Director of Public Prosecutions obtained a warrant to arrest Barasa for failing to appear before police to give a statement about the death of Olunga.
The ODPP has also obtained a warrant to search his premises.
