Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has been acquitted by the High Court in Bungoma County in a murder case involving the shooting death of Brian Olunga, an aide to his opponent Brian Khaemba during the 2022 polls.
Lady Justice Rose Ougo delivered the verdict on Thursday, citing insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
The high-stakes case centered around the tragic incident that occurred on August 9, 2022, at the Chebukwabi polling station, where tensions escalated between MP Barasa and his political rival, Brian Khaemba. As the situation grew heated, Khaemba left the scene and headed to his car.
Witnesses recounted that as Khaemba’s car was about to depart, MP Barasa allegedly drew a gun and fired a fatal shot at Olunga, who was in the vicinity. Tragically, Olunga was hit in the forehead and pronounced dead upon arrival at the Kimilili sub-county hospital.
During the trial, the prosecution sought to link the fatal shot to MP Barasa’s firearm, a Glock Pistol registered under his name.
Ballistic experts at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory analyzed the bullet and cartridge fragments recovered from the scene and concluded that they matched the weapon issued to Barasa.
![Justice Rose Ougo didmisses Kimilili MP in his Murder Case Due to Insufficient Evidence /File Image [Photo/Standard]](https://news.switchtv.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9ZQDlmMpGyZZgC4dZgPrdRT85N4B3SPJYC0113wp.webp)
“Ballistic experts based at the DCI National Forensic Laboratory linked Hon Barasa’s firearm to the fatal shot that took away Olunga’s life. This followed a report issued by the ballistic experts after the investigating team forwarded Hon Barasa’s Glock Pistol,” DCI said on August 24.
Read also: Didmus Barasa Freed on Bond, Still on A Leash
However, in a shocking twist, Lady Justice Rose Ougo emphasized that the bullet found in Olunga’s head did not match the ammunition from Barasa’s gun, raising doubts about the prosecution’s case.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Ougo stated, “The prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence connecting MP Barasa’s firearm to the fatal shot that killed Brian Olunga. Therefore, I find him not guilty of the charges brought against him.”
Subscribe to Switch TV
