Gumbao Jola Murder: Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa Freed on Sh4 Million Cash Bail

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her bodyguard, Geoffrey Otieno have been released on a cash bail of Sh4 million and Sh1.5 million respectively after spending four nights in police custody.

The two are charged with the murder of 48-year-old Gumbao Jola on October 15th, 2019, in Ganda village, Kilifi county.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges before Mombasa High Court Justice Njoki Mwangi.

While granting them bail on Friday, judge Njoki directed Jumwa and Otieno to deposit their passports in court, saying they will only be allowed to travel abroad after providing good reasons for the need to travel.

The prosecution had pleaded with the court not to release the two arguing that they would interfere with witnesses but the judge rejected the request and warned the accused against intimidating witnesses.

Jumwa and Otieno are being represented by lawyers Danstan Omari, Jared Magolo, and Cliff Ombeta.

Jola was shot dead during the Ganda Ward by-election in October 2019 after MP Jumwa and her supporters stormed a meeting organized by Reuben Katana, the ODM candidate in the by-election.

Jumwa, who arrived at the meeting in a convoy of several vehicles, accused Katana of conducting campaigns long after the official campaign window elapsed. 

Several people including police officers were injured during the ugly confrontation. Jola was an uncle to Katana, who eventually won the highly-contested by-election.