Witnesses Afraid To Testify In Didmus Barasa’s Murder Case

According to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), witnesses in the case where Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa is suspected of killing an assistant of his political adversary last week are afraid to testify.

On Monday, Mr. Barasa was charged with murder in an online hearing at the Bungoma Law Courts.

On August 16, the ODPP said that it had requested more time during the court proceeding to allow for the testimony of additional witnesses, including members of the National Youth Service and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“Prosecution asked for more time to allow more witnesses, including NYS & IEBC officials who were present at Chebukwabi Polling Station, to record statements,” ODPP said.

The prosecution at the same time requested that the MP remains in custody to allow it to engage the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) to protect witnesses “who expressed fear to testify.”

“The detectives also need time to complete & present ballistic and postmortem reports,” the ODPP added.
On the night of the general election on August 9, Didmus Barasa is charged with murdering Brian Olunga, a supporter of Brian Khaemba, his major contender for the Kimilili MP seat.

Khaemba visited the Chebukwabi polling place on election day at around 6 o’clock in the evening to watch the counting of ballots, according to a police report.

However, he ran into Barasa at the polling place, and the two quickly got into a fight, which forced Khaemba to leave the polling place.

Khaemba made his way to his vehicle but “Barasa followed him in the company of four men and ordered them not to allow him (Khaemba) to leave…”
However, it’s said that Khaemba’s driver disobeyed Barasa’s request and lit the car, which prompted the lawmaker to shoot Olunga in the forehead.

The lawmaker remained missing for two days before turning himself in to police on Thursday, and he passed away from his injuries while he was being transported to the hospital.

Since then, Barasa has denied any involvement in the alleged cold-blooded murder of Olunga and has insisted that even he is unsure of what happened on the day in question.
On Tuesday, August 16, the court is scheduled to rule on the prosecution’s application.