Gatundu MP Gabriel Kagombe has been released on a Sh2 million bond or Sh1 million cash bail, with surety of the same amount, following his not guilty plea to murder charges at the high court in Machakos.
The release was granted by Judge Francis Olel after a mental assessment was conducted on Kagombe as ordered by the court.
“The court has considered applications by both the prosecution and defence lawyers and hereby orders that the accused person be released on Sh2 million bond or Sh1 million cash bail and surety of a similar amount,” Judge Olel ruled.
Kagombe, who has been in police custody for nearly two weeks, is accused of the alleged murder of a bodaboda operator in Thika subcounty. The MP appeared before Judge Olel, who also ordered that Kagombe should neither contact witnesses nor visit the area where the incident occurred. Additionally, a report from the probation department is to be submitted within 30 days.
The MP is scheduled to appear in court again on July 17, 2024. His defence team argued for lenient bail terms, emphasizing that Kagombe is not a flight risk due to his position as a sitting MP and a member of two parliamentary committees on Livestock and Agriculture.
Lawyer Brian Khaemba, representing Kagombe, stated, “It will be inconvenient for the accused person to continue traveling to this court. He isn’t a flight risk.” Despite the prosecution’s request to restrict Kagombe’s access to Thika Town, where the deceased resided, the court granted him bail under the stipulated conditions.
