Witnesses in Didmus Barasa shooting case fear for their lives

Potential witnesses in the case involving Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa expressed their fear in testifying against the politician.

In a statement given by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the eyewitnesses who were present during the shooting were terrified of the consequences that could befall them if they decided to testify against the MP-elect.

Barasa was arraigned on Monday at the Bungoma Law Courts in an online hearing to face murder charges.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) asked the court for more time to allow for potential witnesses to record statements.

Some of the witnesses involved included officers from the National Youth Service and officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“The 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 further requested the  court to allow Barasa to remain in custody in order  to allow them to engage the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) to protect witnesses ‘who expressed fear to testify’.

“The detectives also need time to complete and present ballistic and postmortem reports,” the ODPP added.

Didmus Barasa is accused of allegedly murdering an aide to his main rival in the Kimilili MP race.

The legislator is alleged to have shot Brian Olunga on the forehead, consequently killing him.

Barasa later went missing for two days before surrendering himself to the police on Thursday.

He has, however, denied the blood murder allegations with the court set to rule on the prosecution’s application on Tuesday, August 16.