Siaya Resident Magistrate Jacob Mkala ordered that Police Constable Mark Owino remain in custody for seven days to allow detectives to finalize a high-stakes robbery investigation.
The downfall of Constable Owino (Service Number 244884) began with a viral video that sent shockwaves among the members of public.
In the footage, an officer, later identified as Owino, was captured wielding an AK-47, not to protect the public, but to rob them.
According to police reports, the specific incident that triggered his arrest occurred in the early hours of February 4 at the Ajigo Trading Center.
CCTV cameras at the scene captured armed men harassing a local trader, stealing an undisclosed amount of money, and fleeing into the night on a motorcycle.
Following an intensive probe by the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) in Bondo, Owino was apprehended on Saturday evening at Holo Police Station.
During the court session, the prosecution successfully argued that releasing Owino would jeopardize the ongoing investigation, which includes a critical identification parade scheduled for this week.
Magistrate Mkala concurred, ruling that the suspect be remanded at the Siaya GK Prison.
“Following the request by the prosecution to hold the suspect for seven days, this court has granted the prayers,” Magistrate Mkala ruled, setting the stage for a case that has become a litmus test for police accountability in the region.
Owino is expected back to Siaya law courts as soon as the seven-day window elapses, where he will formally answer to charges of robbery with violence.
