MP Aisha Jumwa to Spend Weekend in Police Cells After Failing to Raise Sh4 Million Bail

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa will spend the weekend in police cells after she failed to raise and deposit bail on time.

Jumwa, who is charged with the murder of 48-year-old Gumbao Jola, was on Friday freed on Sh4 million cash bail or an alternative bond of Sh4 million. 

Her co-accused Geoffrey Otieno Okuto, who is her bodyguard, was granted Sh1.5 million cash bail or bond of Sh1 million. The two had been in police custody since Monday.

While releasing the two, Mombasa High Court Justice Njoki Mwangi said the prosecution failed to provide compelling reasons as to why the accused persons should be denied bond. 

The court directed the two to deposit their passports in court and present themselves to court whenever they are required. They were further warned against interfering with prosecution witnesses.

Jumwa and Otieno are accused of killing Gumbao on October 15th, 2019, in Ganda village, Kilifi county but they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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.