Two suspects, Jean Ogol, a primary school headteacher, and Henry Opiyo, who were arrested in connection with the murder of a 40-year-old man in Bondo, Siaya County, have been cleared of murder charges.

The investigation team was unable to find sufficient evidence linking the pair to the death of Erick Marwara, whose body was discovered hanging in Ogol’s unfinished house in the Bar Kowino sub-location on August 11, 2024.

PHOTO | COURTESY court hammer

Ogol and Opiyo were brought before Bondo Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti. Still, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced that the Criminal Investigation Officer would not pursue murder charges. Instead, the two will now serve as state witnesses in the ongoing case, as the main suspects remain at large.

Following a successful application by their lawyer, Dola Indidis, the court ordered Ksh's cash bail. 300,000 previously paid by Ogol and Opiyo be refunded.