Court Frees Three Suspects in Matatu Touts Murder Case, One to Face Charges
After thorough investigations, it emerged that the deceased was stabbed in the chest by Ogumbo, who witnesses identified. He is expected to be charged with murder.
A Nairobi court has freed three men who were the main suspects in the murder of a Matatu taut at Obamana Links Limited along Uyoma street in Nairobi.
Sitting at Milimani court, senior principal magistrate Dolphina Alego released Duncan Ochola, Vitalis Owino, and Daniel Ochieng Ojwang, but she recommended that a mental assessment be conducted on Hannington Oloo Ogumbo, the first respondent, who will be charged with murder.
“I hereby declare the second to fourth respondents be discharged and the first suspect to be taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for mental assessment and psychiatric test as directed by the duty court,” the magistrate declared.
State prosecutor Hilary Isiakho requested the court to detain Ogumbo for seven more days as they await a response from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) regarding the forwarded file for the direction to charge.
“Your honor, we pray for the first suspect to be detained at Kamukunji police station for seven days as we wait for the ODPP to respond on the way forward on the police file they are pursuing,” Isiakho requested the court.
The prosecutor also told the court that releasing the accused would pose a danger to his life since he was the one identified as stabbing the deceased in the chest, and the public might take revenge by attacking him.
In the affidavit that police officer Pwoka Maoka swore, he says a group of rowdy youth had stormed the police station, baying for the suspect’s blood to avenge their deceased friend.
The four suspects were under investigation over the murder of Dickson Otieno Ombaka, an employee of the Obamana Link Sacco, on August 3, 2025. The court heard that there has been a long-standing conflict between Obamana Sacco and Obamana Link Sacco Limited over the dropping off and picking up of passengers along Temple Road.
After thorough investigations, it emerged that the deceased was stabbed in the chest by Ogumbo, who witnesses identified. He is expected to be charged with murder.
The magistrate directed the respondent to be detained at Kamukunji police station, awaiting the mental assessment.
The matter will be mentioned on August 20, 2025, for further directions.
