Court rejects bid to halt Jumwa case

The High Court yesterday rejected an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to withdraw murder charges against Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa.

Judge Anne Onginjo instead converted Jumwa (pictured) into a State witness in the case.

While rejecting the application, Justice Onginjo accused the DPP of treating the matter in a casual manner, in the absence of the accused person, and without any formal application before court.

“I don’t think this is the right platform to make such an application, orally, with no application being tabled before court on why you wish to drop charges against the second accused person,” Justice Onginjo noted.

Judge ordered Jumwa to appear before the court and directed the DPP to amend the charge sheet.

Jumwa had written to the DPP seeking to settle the matter with the deceased’s family out of court.

She said she was ready to compensate the deceased’s family for the loss of their loved one, Ngumbao Jola during fracas that ensued during the Ganda Ward by-election in 2020.

The CS and her bodyguard Geoffrey Okuto are accused of murdering Jola. Over five witnesses have testified against Jumwa and Okuto.

Matter will be mentioned on December 21.