By ALPHONSE MUNGAHU
A Milimani court has cancelled the bond granted to Albert Komen Kipkechem, alias Jonathan Kiptum Barmasai, who is facing charges of computer misuse, cybercrime and computer fraud.
Komen was charged earlier this year in two separate cases in which he is accused of involvement in a series of cyberattacks that allegedly caused financial losses of about Sh100 million to several institutions.
He was arraigned before Milimani Principal Magistrate Theresa Nyangena on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after being arrested in Kericho on a warrant of arrest.
The prosecution asked the court to detain Komen, citing his repeated failure to attend court after allegedly absconding on several occasions while out on bond.
However, his lawyer urged the court to reinstate the cancelled bond terms, arguing that his client had been unwell and that his illness had caused him to miss the court proceedings.
Magistrate Nyangena declined to reinstate the bond and ordered that Komen remain in custody until November 5, 2026, when he will be required to explain his failure to attend court.
“Bond reinstatement declined; the accused will remain in custody until November 5, 2026, when he will explain why he absconded from court,” Nyangena ruled.
The State had earlier opposed Komen’s release on bail and bond through a sworn affidavit by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer Andrew Ngowa.
Ngowa argued that although Komen is a Kenyan citizen, he also holds a Democratic Republic of Congo passport, which he said made him a significant flight risk.
The officer further alleged that Komen possesses technical expertise that could enable him to remotely access, encrypt or delete digital footprints and evidence crucial to the prosecution’s case if he were allowed access to telecommunication devices while outside custody.
“I believe that these are compelling reasons in the interest of justice that the accused person be denied bail and bond pending the hearing and determination of this case,” Ngowa stated in the affidavit.
The court will revisit the matter on November 5, when Komen is expected to explain his previous absence from court.
