NAIROBI CRIME June 4; A tense courtroom moment unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday when a murder suspect—also a prominent United Democratic Alliance (UDA) official—allegedly threatened to kill a State Prosecutor during a bail hearing.
Ebel Ochieng Kalo, a board member of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), shocked the courtroom when he reportedly directed death threats at Allen Mulama, a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The threat occurred as Mulama opposed Kalo’s release on bond in the ongoing case involving the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Were.
“One of the accused persons, Ebel Ochieng, has threatened to kill the ODPP officer, Allan Mulama, forcing the State Counsel to excuse himself from court,” the prosecution reported to Justice Diana Kavedza.
The threat, allegedly uttered in Kiswahili—“huyu tutamuua” (we’ll kill him)—prompted Justice Kavedza to tighten security in her courtroom and deny bail to all three accused persons.
She also ordered that Kalo be taken to Mathari Hospital for psychiatric assessment.
“I take note that the accused person has threatened to kill the prosecutor… What about the witnesses?” Justice Kavedza stated. “On these grounds, the three are denied bond. The first accused is to be escorted for a mental health evaluation.”
The judge further ordered that the accused remain in custody at Nairobi Remand Prison, with the third accused held in isolation pending completion of a mental assessment.
The case is set for mention on June 17.
Prosecutors expressed grave concern over the threats, telling the court, “This is deeply troubling. We intend to pursue this matter conclusively with the police. The court’s intervention is urgently needed.”