By Enock Okong’o
Kisii County police officers have arrested Maina Ochoki who is the main suspect over the heinous act of blinding Junior Sagini by gouging out his eyes on Thursday, December 15.
The county Police boss Mutungi Musyoki confirmed the arrest and arraignment of the 26-year-old hailing from Ikuruma village.
The suspect appeared before Kisii Resident Magistrate Christine Oweno on Monday, December 19 where the Court Prosecutor Mr. Kiano requested the Kisii Law Courts to allow five days for thorough investigations to be done before the proceedings begin.
Mrs. Oweno denied the suspect a release on bond ordering him to remain in custody citing interfere with the suspect and investigations.
Lawyers Divinah Biyaki and Anitah Tukile sought the court’s permission to be involved in the listening of the case because it touched the violation of children’s rights.
Their request was granted and they will be among the lawyers in session during the hearing of the case on December 23, 2022.
Police boss Mutungi Musyoki said that preliminary investigations revealed that Ochoki colluded with his mother, Pacificah, to remove the boy’s eyes to use them in a ritual to appease his late father.
“My police officers arrested the suspect as he was packing clothes at his house ready to flee,” he said.
Fearing arrest, the suspect’s mother ran away and is reportedly hiding in Kasarani, Nairobi.
The arrest comes barely a day after Kisii County Governor Simba Arati ordered quick arrest of the suspects.
Ochoki is Sagini’s cousin and is the fourth person to be interrogated among other suspects who include a Form Three student.
