The High Court has acquitted seven suspects charged in connection with the murder of 42 police officers in Baragoi, Samburu County, five years ago.
Justice Maureen Odero on Friday set free the seven— including a member of county assembly, four chiefs and two Kenya Police Reservists.
SH5M BOND
The seven had been accused of involvement in the killing of the police officers that shocked the nation in 2012 and were out on Sh5 million bond each.
The judge said there was no evidence linking any of the suspects to the murder of the officers.
“I find no pre-mafacie case established against any of the seven accused persons. I thus enter a verdict of not guilty and I acquit each of the suspects of the 12 counts of murder,” said Justice Odero while delivering the judgement.
The acquitted persons include Nachola Ward Representative Lawrence Lorunyei, chiefs Christopher Lokerach, Enoi Lesike, Amojong Loturo and Jeremiah Ekurao, reservist Loomira Looyen and ranger Ekai Loyee.
G3 RIFLE
According to the judgment, the suspects did not flee after the incident because they were arrested (some in uniforms) while attending a security meeting in Maralal town.
The judge said the suspect were only arrested because they held position of leadership in the community.
The police officers were on a mission to recover stolen livestock in Baragoi when the massacre occurred.
On October 9, last year, two herdsmen Paul Ekuton, 21, and Eurian Elkayo, 19 were sentenced to death for the same offence by a Maralal court.
The two were found with a G3 rifle assigned to three police officers— the late police constables Benson Kangeretho, Antony Ouma and Eric Mutwiri, on November 11, 2012 at Lomerok in Samburu North Sub-County.
