A Magistrates’ court has refused to review its previous ruling that allowed the detention of two individuals allegedly found with hand grenades outside businessman Jimmy Wanjigi’s residence in Muthaiga.
In dismissing the application, Chief Magistrate Bernard Ochoi stated that the court cannot overturn its own decision and suggested that the parties consider filing an appeal if they are dissatisfied with the ruling. He deemed the application made by Advocate Willis Otieno as unjustified.
On Monday, Ochoi permitted the police to hold Dancan Otieno and Calvin Odongo for seven days while further investigations are conducted. This decision followed their arrest in a black Toyota Prado, which reportedly contained hand grenades just outside Wanjigi’s premises.
Although the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) requested a 14-day detention, the court reduced it to seven, stating that the original request was excessive.
Ochoi noted that the remand was necessary due to the nature of the arrest and emphasized the need to confirm the suspects’ identities before their release.
Shortly thereafter, Otieno requested the court to reconsider its decision, claiming that the explosives were planted in the vehicle by police officers and that CCTV footage captured the incident.
“Allow the innocent to be released and let the giants fight like giants,” he urged. He also mentioned that the suspects had already been in custody for more than five days and that their identities could be verified outside of custody.
However, Ochoi maintained that this argument did not provide grounds for a review, but rather for an appeal. As a result, the two suspects will remain at Central Police Station until the seven-day detention period, which began on Monday, expires.
