Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars Football Player Collins Okoth
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Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars football player Collins Okoth, also known as Gatuso, will remain in custody until December when the High Court will consider his request to be released on bail.
Gatuso, who stands accused of murdering three-year-old Pamela Atieno, also known as Scovian Maya, will consequently remain in remand until the hearing takes place. The charges against Gatuso stem from an incident that allegedly occurred between April 21 and 22 at Kwetu Apartments in Sinai, Lucky Summer estate, Nairobi. Gatuso, along with his co-accused Sylvia Aoko, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges before Justice Esther Maina at the Milimani Law Courts. The case came before Justice Alexander Muteti for a bond application hearing on Wednesday.
However, the proceedings have been postponed as the prosecution, represented by Mercy Njoroge, stated they are unprepared to submit their opposing affidavits. Njoroge has also cited the unavailability of a pre-bail report for both accused, though Justice Muteti notes that this report had already been filed with the court. In light of these circumstances, Justice Muteti has scheduled the bond application hearing for December 2, 2024, coinciding with the commencement of the trial.
"Parties should put in their submissions so that they will only make brief submissions on the bond application before hearing commences," Justice Muteti ruling reads in part.
He instructs both the prosecution and defense to obtain copies of the pre-bail report and file their submissions accordingly. The trial is set to continue on December 3. This ruling means that Gatuso will remain in custody at the Industrial Area Remand Prison, while his co-accused, Sylvia, is held at Lang'ata Women's Prison. The defense lawyers, Geoffrey Omenke representing Gatuso and Kamau Waweru for Sylvia, expresses readiness to argue for their clients' release on bond. However, they must now wait until December to present their case. Gatuso's career included playing for Gor Mahia, one of Kenya's most successful clubs, and representing the national team Harambee Stars.