Turkana South MP John Namoit Ariko will spend the weekend in custody after being remanded in custody alongside eight other persons in connection to alleged assault of a son of Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai.
Ariko was arrested in Eldoret Thursday night but was released and and he presented himself in court on Friday.
Senior Resident Magistrate Cherono Kesse ordered that the suspects be remanded in custody until Monday when she will deliver a ruling on their bail application.
The MP along with the other suspects were charged with various separate offenses, which they denied and applied to be released on bond.
Ariko faced two counts of conspiracy to defeat justice contrary to Section 117(a) of the penal code.
Police alleged that the MP on diverse dates between April 29, 2024 and May, at unknown place within the Republic of Kenya with others not before court, jointly conspired to falsely accuse the governor’s son, who is a juvenile and one Lavish Esiwet Ekamais of the offense of abducting one Sammy Ekitela alias Whensonko.
"On diverse dates between 29th day of April 2024 and 2nd day of May, 2024 at unknown time and place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with others not before court knowingly prevented the execution of a criminal process by police officers," the second count reads.
“It’s not true your honour,” the MP said when the charges were read to him.
The other suspects who were charged with other offenses include Peter Lokutuni, Davis Nangiro, Jemostar Akooyen, Bornfestus Nabuin, Joseph Ekitela, Sammy Ekitela and James Abel.
The other suspects faced another count of assaulting the juvenile and occasioning him actual bodily harm on April 29, 2024.
The offences were allegedly committed at Cherinas Homes within Turkana Central.
Some of the suspects also faced other charges including possession of suspected stolen property and forgery.
The prosecution led by Mark Mugun objected to the release of the suspects on bail arguing that they may interfere with witnesses.
Mugun said the case had been moved to Eldoret because of the safety of the victims in the matter.
Lawyer for the victims, Richard Warigi, also opposed bail application arguing that some of the suspects had already used social media to intimidate the victims.
Lawyers for the suspects claimed that the case was politically instigated.
“I will render my ruling concerning the bail application on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 2.30pm,” the magistrate said.