Five Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers alleged to have killed a 19-year-old high school student in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County last month were on Monday June 10, 2024 arraigned at the Eldama Ravine Court.
The suspects rangers are Charles Korir Kipkoech, Lemiso Francis Kiparus, Stanley Njoroge Chege, Simon Mbugua Mwaura and Eric Mwaura Njenga were presented before Justice Rachael Ngetich accused of jointly causing the death of Stephen Mwangi on May 8 where they attacked him while in the Maji Mazuri Forest area.
The officers who were arraigned in court face charges of murder under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution team opposed bail applications, citing concerns of witness interference, the gravity of the charge, and the public interest a move the Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Tom Imbali refuted emphasized that both the right to life and the right to bail are constitutionally guaranteed, urging the court not to prioritize one over the other.
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The prosecution team urged the court to expedite justice by setting early hearing dates for the case.
While the officers pleaded not guilty, the judge ordered a pre-bail report to be submitted before the next mention scheduled for July 15 for further directives.
Stephen Mwangi, a Form Three student allegedly assaulted by Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers in Baringo County, died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to multiple soft tissue injuries.
According to Dr Benson Macharia, a pathologist at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Eldoret who conducted the post-mortem on the body of the 19-year-old student revealed that the soft tissue injuries were caused by blunt force trauma.
Mwangi succumbed to injuries on May 13 while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he had been rushed after the alleged assault in the events that took place on May 8, 2024.
By Vostine Ratemo
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