By TONY MUSISI
Two men facing multiple criminal charges have been denied bail after they were charged with assaulting and causing actual bodily harm to an Eldoret businessman while allegedly armed with a firearm.
Dennis Nyamu, 40, and Collins Kimetto, 26, appeared before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Kesse Cheronoh, where they denied assaulting Dennis Ochieng at his residence in Cherunya, on the outskirts of Eldoret City.
According to court documents, the two, alongside others who were not before the court, allegedly assaulted Ochieng on September 8, 2026, in Cherunya area, Kapseret Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County, causing him actual bodily harm.
In her ruling, Cheronoh ordered that the accused persons be remanded at Eldoret GK Remand Prison until November 28, 2026, after allowing an application by the prosecution to deny them bail or bond.
The prosecution opposed their release, citing concerns over their alleged failure to attend court in a separate case, in which they face six counts, including attempted murder.
The case, registered as ELD CMCRC No. E329 of 2026, is before Principal Magistrate Kimani Mukabi.
The court was told that the two had absconded court proceedings in the matter, prompting Mukabi to issue warrants of arrest that had allegedly remained outstanding for six months.
Other charges in the separate case include allegedly making a licensed firearm available to a person not legally authorised to possess it, carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly, and malicious damage to property.
The prosecution also informed the court that the suspects had previously been charged at Makindu Law Courts with possessing a firearm and ammunition without valid certificates.
They were reportedly denied bond in the Makindu case and remained in custody before being transferred to Eldoret to answer the assault charge under Section 251 of the Penal Code.
In denying them bail, Cheronoh said she had considered the nature of the charge and the severity of the potential punishment should they be convicted.
“I have also taken into account the strength of the prosecution case, the likelihood of the accused persons interfering with witnesses, the need to protect the victim or victims of crime, and also public order, peace and security,” she ruled.
The magistrate further expressed concern that the accused could abscond if released, citing their alleged conduct in the separate case and the prevailing hostility among members of the community.
She said the community’s reported attempt to lynch the suspects while they were in the custody of arresting officers raised concerns about their security if released on bond.
“Taking into account the prevailing bitterness in the community, it is apparent that the accused persons’ security is at risk. In view of the foregoing, I am reluctant to free them on bond,” Cheronoh said.
The magistrate consequently allowed the prosecution’s application to have the two suspects detained pending further court proceedings.
