KISII, Kenya, Dec 19 — A 26-year-old man linked to the brutal attack of a three-year-old boy whose eyes were gouged out will be detained for an additional five days following his arrest on Sunday.
The court allowed the police to continue holding Maina Ochogo longer following his arraignment on Monday for attempted murder.
He appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Ogweno where he was formally accused of assaulting the boy identified as Sagini Junior at Ikuruma village in Marani subcounty in Kisii.
Prosecutor Hilary Kaino filled an application to detain the suspect for five days to enable the police conclude investigations and also arrest more suspects.
Kaino told the court that Ochogo was seen escorting his mother to a bus station, who then fled to Nairobi on the day Sagini was found in a maize plantation, his eyes brutally plucked off.
“The main suspect was the last person seen with this child on the evening hours before he disappeared, the following morning this suspect left to Nairobi,” Kaino told the court.
The prosecutor further told the court that holding the suspect will ensure the victim’s safety and that of the general public.
Daphine Biyaki and Nduhukire Anita, advocates holding brief for Sagini, agreed with the prosecutor’s application to detain the suspect for five days.
The court ruled that the suspect will be detained at Rioma Police Station for five days as the police conclude investigations.
“The suspect will be arraigned in the same court on 23rd December to know his fate as the court gives directions,” said the Magistrate.
Baby Sagini’s Mother was arrested on Sunday and booked at Nyanchwa Police Station under OB NO. 13/18/12/2022.
She was locked at the court’s police cells and later driven away by the DCI officers the moment Ochogo appeared in court.