10 Suspects in Linda Mwananchi Rally Chaos Freed on Bond
The suspects were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Benson Ireri at the Kisumu Law Courts, where they denied felony charges related to political violence
By : Mweru Mbugua
Ten suspects arrested over the weekend in connection with chaotic scenes that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi rally have been released on bond after appearing before a Kisumu court
The suspects were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Benson Ireri at the Kisumu Law Courts, where they denied felony charges related to political violence
The court granted each of them a bond of Sh30,000 with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh10,000
In his ruling, Magistrate Ireri dismissed a prosecution request to detain the accused for an additional 14 days to allow police to complete investigations. He held that the suspects did not pose a security threat and were entitled to bail under the Constitution. The magistrate further noted that investigators could proceed with their inquiries while the accused remain out on bond
He added that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was at liberty to continue analysing the suspects’ mobile phones and pursue other lines of investigation
Also read : One Dead, Six Injured After Mourner-Filled Matatu Plunges Into River Nyakibaai in Gatundu
According to the charge sheet, the 10 were arrested in Kisumu by DCI officers who had reportedly been monitoring them over alleged plans to incite violence. Police said they recovered crude weapons, including daggers and knives, from a saloon car in which the suspects were travelling
The accused are Shadrack Aula, Collins Omondi, Patrick Bunde, Earnest Masheti, Silas Odero, Dickson Ochieng, Hemile Omondi, Clifford Juma, David Omolo and Pater Okoth
The case will be mentioned on March 14, 2026
