Ex-Harambee Stars Player Battles Prosecution In Murder Case Hearing

Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth has told the High Court he deserves to be freed on bail after spending more than a year in remand over the death of three-year-old Pamela Atieno, also known as Scovian Maya.

Okoth was arrested in May 2024 and has since been held at Industrial Area Remand Prison, facing murder charges alongside co-accused Sylvia Aoko. The two are accused of killing the minor on the night of April 21 into the morning of April 22, 2024, at Kwetu Apartments in Sinai, Lucky Summer estate in Nairobi.

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On Tuesday, Okoth and Sylvia appeared before Justice Alexander Muteti to make their case for release, with their lawyers arguing that bond is a constitutional right and that the reasons for denying it no longer exist.

Gattuso’s lawyer, Geoffrey Omenke, said the fears raised by investigating officer Gilbert Kiprotich had already been addressed since key witnesses had testified.

“No cogent evidence had been tabled why bond or bail should not be granted. We urge the court to strike a balance and grant bail to the accused,” Omenke said as per The Star.

Kiprotich had earlier opposed bail, claiming the accused could interfere with crucial witnesses. But Omenke insisted the investigator’s concerns were no longer valid, adding that there was no compelling reason to continue detaining his client.

The prosecution, through Mercy Njoroge, opposed the bail request, claiming Okoth had no known place of abode and was a flight risk.

She told the court the ex-footballer had been living in a rented house in Lucky Summer and was planning to move to an undisclosed location before his arrest.

Omenke disputed the claim, saying there was no proof on record to back the prosecution’s allegations. He described his client as a well-known football pundit and former professional player with deep ties to Kenya.

For Sylvia, lawyer Kamau Waweru also sought bail, arguing that she had been cooperative with authorities from the beginning. “She was ready to abide by the terms set, having cooperated with the authorities since her arrest,” Waweru said.

Njoroge told the court Sylvia was also a flight risk, claiming she had no permanent residence or known business in Nairobi.

She alleged Sylvia had left a home she shared with the victim’s mother to a bureau in Kasarani, pretending to seek work as a househelp.

Waweru urged the court to disregard those fears, noting Sylvia had strong family connections in her home county of Siaya.

“Siaya is still within the jurisdiction of this court; hence, the claim of being a flight risk does not hold,” Waweru said.

He told the court murder is a bailable offence and that Sylvia is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“The applicant is from a humble background. Her family does not have bond to put up. We are praying for lenient bail terms,” he added.

Justice Muteti will deliver his ruling on September 17, the same day the murder case is set for hearing.

Until then, Okoth remains in Industrial Area Remand Prison, and Sylvia at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, both holding onto the hope that the court will grant them a chance at temporary freedom.