BY NT CORRESPONDENT.
Kimilili MP Didmas Baraza has surrendered himself to the police over a murder incident linked to him.
The legislator has been on the run since Wednesday when he is alleged to have committed the offense.
His surrender to the police follows a court order issued for the police to arrest him.
He is required to record a statement over the incident to enable police commence investigations.
If found capable, the MP risks a life sentence in one of the correctional facilities.
Warrant of arrest was issued against theKimilili MP yesterday after he failed to turn himself into the police.
Kimilili Magistrate issued the warrant against MP Barasa after he failed to surrender to record statement with the police.
“The police officers be and are hereby allowed to break and enter into any of the Respondent’s (Didmus Barasa) premises for purposes of conducting search and effecting arrest upon the Respondent,” ordered Kimilili Court Magistrate.
This is after State approached the court through miscellaneous application seeking Warrant of Arrest to be issued against MP Barasa.
State urged the court upon execution of the warrant of Arrest, MP Barasa be ordered to remain in custody at Bungoma Police Station for 20 days to enable the Police complete investigations.
Director of Public Prosecution revealed through the official social media accounts that ODPP has obtained a warrant of arrest of Kimilili MP, Didimus Barasa, for failing to avail himself to the police to record a statement on allegations of killing Brian Olunga, his opponent’s bodyguard. ODPP has also obtained a search warrant of his premises.
“ODPP Western Regional Head, Peter Kiprop, said the Office obtained the warrants and is ready to proceed with the matter once the MP is apprehended,” said DPP.
Through CPL Kipkirui Serem sleuth investigations into the alleged Offence of murder Contrary to Section 203 as read with 204 Of the Penal Code, Misuse of firearm to commit a felony contrary to section 34 of the Firearms Act are ongoing.
The Kimilili Magistrate court heard that on August 9 at about 1900hrs MP Barasa who was a candidate and current MP-Elect for Kimilili Constituency was at Chebukwabi Polling Centre when his rival aspirant for Kimilili constituency seat Mr. Brian Khaemba arrived at the Centre to witness the counting of votes.
“The respondent(MP Barasa) without being provoked ordered that former Magistrate Brian Khaemba who was a candidate should not be allowed to leave the Polling Centre but when his driver one Joshua Nasokho ignited his car Reg. KCR 050J, the respondent got infuriated and withdrew his pistol and shot at the forehead of Brian Olunga who was an aide to the Brian Khaemba,” said CPL Serem.
The officer told the court that Brian Olunga was shot in the forehead and later rushed to Kimilili sub county hospital where he died while undergoing treatment. The incident was booked at Kimilili Police station vide OB 32/09/08/2022
After committing the heinous offence, the respondent fled from the scene and remains a fugitive of justice.
He added that police and the DPP have issued directions that he surrenders to the nearest police station but the respondent remains in hiding and even after being declared the successful candidate by the Kimilili constituency returning officer, the respondent has not resurfaced at the tallying center to receive his nomination certificate for MP elect Kimilili constituency.
They suspect the UDA politician may have crossed the border to the neighboring countries hence the necessity for the issuance of the warrant which may be executed by Interpol while he is still at large, armed and dangerous hence the issuance of the court warrant may go along in having the fugitive being smoked out from his hiding whether within or outside the jurisdiction.
The arrest and detention of the MP will enable the Investigators to interrogate and finalize investigations. The respondent is clearly considered a flight risk.
DCI through their social media accounts warned MP Barasa, who has since gone into hiding after the brutal murder of one Brian Olunga, to surrender to the nearest police station within the next 6-hours.
DCI Kinoti said MP Barasa, is wanted for the cold blooded murder of Brian, whom he shot on the forehead killing him on the spot, on Tuesday, August 8, at Chebukwabi in Kimilili, Bungoma county and a specialized team of sleuths based from the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and the Homicide department has been dispatched to augment the teams on the ground for his manhunt.
He added serious action will be taken against any persons found to be harbouring the murder suspect.
MP Barasa in his application filed in court claim that he was engaged in a scuffle with some aspirants to Kimilili constituency leading to loss of an individual.
He adds that no preliminary investigations have been undertaken but he has been branded as the perpetrator.
“Due to the negative publicity , he is wary of his safety and hence the need for the court to grant him bail pending arrest,” says MP Barasa in his court documents.
He adds that he is fearful that if not granted bail, his security will be at risk.
