Wanted Kimilili Member of Parliament-elect Didmus Barasa is now in police custody.

Reports indicated that Barasa surrendered himself at the Bungoma police station.

He surrendered barely a day after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dispatched a team of specialised officers to help in his manhunt.Barasa was wanted in connection with the murder of his opponent’s aide on the polling day. He has been on the run since then.

His lawyer, Dr John Khaminwa, moved to court on Thursday, August 11, to block the arrest of the Kimilili MP elect.

Dr Khaminwa sought to prevent the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from going after his client citing a lack of evidence linking Barasa to the murder.

The Senior Counsel stated that investigations had not been conducted but Barasa was already smeared as the perpetrator in the murder of an aide to his opponent.

“Mr Barasa has been branded a murderer without due process being followed, thus prejudicing his right to a fair trial. The court, therefore, needs to grant him bail pending arrest,” Khaminwa prayed.

DCI took its manhunt for Barasa to Uganda after intelligence reports implied the MP-elect had fled to the neighbouring country.

Sleuths who spoke to the press on Wednesday stated that they received a tipoff indicating Barasa was spotted boarding a boda boda on his way to Uganda.

Bungoma County Commissioner, Samuel Kimiti gave the MP-elect 24 hours to surrender to the nearest police station.

Barasa allegedly shot dead an opponent’s aide during a commotion at Chebukwabi polling station and escaped shortly after the incident. 

According to a police report, the incident occurred when DAP-Kenya party candidate Brian Khaemba toured the Chebukwabi polling station in order to witness the counting of votes. Accompanied by his aide and his driver, Khaemba crossed paths with Barasa.

The victim identified as Brian Olunga succumbed to injuries on the way to Kimilili sub-county hospital.