- The eight were detained for 21 days pending investigations on November 10.
- They claimed there was mischief as the investigators from internal affairs unit may disobey a court order.
Image: FILE
Eight police officers from the disbanded Special Services Unit of the DCI have been released on a personal bond of Sh500,000 each.
Kahawa law court chief magistrate Diana Mochache released the eight officers after the investigating officers failed to produce a report on DNA test from the suspects.
The officers who have been in custody for more than 30 days, are suspected to be behind the mysterious disappearance of two Indian nationals Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Mohamed Zaid and their taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania whose bodies were found in the Aberdare Mountain.
The eight were detained for 21 days pending investigations on November 10.
The prosecution had sought for more time to get DNA samples from the accused which they had not obtained.
The defence lawyer Danstan Omari however, opposed saying the police had more than enough time to get the suspects conducted the DNA test.
He argued that since there was no report, the court should release the officers on bond.
In her ruling, the magistrate released each of them on a personal bond of Sh500,000.
The magistrate further directed the parties to agree on a day they will avail themselves for DNA testing at the government chemist.
The case will be mentioned on January 16.
The prosecution had sought to have them taken to government chemist instead of national forensic laboratory for DNA testing as ordered by the judge during their detention.
The suspects are Joseph Mwenda Mbaya, David Chepcheng Kipsoi, Stephen Luseno Matunda, Paul Njogu Muriithi, Simon Muhuga Gikonyo, Peter Muthee Gachiku, Francis Muendo Ndonye, John Mwangi Kamau and Joseph Kamau Mbugua.
Ndonye was already out on a Sh500,000 personal bond.
Last week, the eight detained officers through lawyer Omari wrote a letter to the DPP saying they had not been taken for DNA test.
They claimed there was mischief as the investigators from internal affairs unit may disobey a court order.
Kahawa law court chief magistrate Diana Mochache had ruled that the suspects be escorted for a DNA test, and they may get a pathologist but at their own expense.
However, the officers through lawyers Omari and Omayio Aranga, claimed even after being in custody since early November, no investigations has commenced to establish who abducted the two Indians and the Kenyandriver.
Omari while addressing the media said there was an attempt to have them taken to the government chemist for DNA test contrary to order issued by chief magistrate court.
The lawyers argued that any attempt to have the officers forcefully removed from police custody will be contrary and will amount to abuse of power.