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Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.
The High Court in Kiambu has relieved a Kenyan entertainer who was in custody over the alleged murder of a senior police officer.
Allan Ochieng, alias Hype Ballo, was arrested with six others, including famous DJ Joseph Mwenda and alias DJ Joe Mfalme, over the killing of Directorate of Criminal Investigations senior detective Felix Kitosi.
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They were arrested on Sunday, March 24, after Kitosi, who had been taken to Nairobi West Hospital, was confirmed dead on Thursday, March 21.
After being arrested and detained for 14 days, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that Hype Ballo be charged with murder while DJ Mfalme and the other suspects would be state witnesses.
After his counterparts' release, the court in Kibera referred Hype Ballo to Kiambu Law Courts to face murder charges on Monday, April 8, but he did not take a plea as the judge was not present.
Hype Ballo finally took the murder plea on Monday, April 22, when he denied charges and sought lenient bail terms.
The prosecution opposed his bail on the grounds of witness interference, but the court requested a social inquiry report before making a bail ruling.
When he returned to court on Wednesday, May 8, Justice Dorah Chepkwony accepted his bail application.
Justice Chepkwony granted Hype Ballo a cash bail of KSh 500,000 with an alternative KSh 500,000 bond with the same surety amount.
The court directed Hype Ballo to attend all court sessions as required under the stringent bail conditions.
"I direct the accused to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Kikuyu sub-county offices on the first day of every month until the key witnesses testify," the judge ruled.
The judge also ordered Hype Ballo to remain under the supervision of the Kibera area chief until the case is heard and determined.
The matter will be mentioned on Wednesday, May 22, for the pretrial hearing and scheduling of the hearing date.
Kitosi's family was not pleased with the DPP's decision to have DJ Joe Mfalme as a witness in the matter, arguing that he would impede the course of justice.
Mfalme, Hype Ballo, and other crew members of the entertainment crew were arrested, along with three police officers, for allegedly assaulting and causing the death of Kitosi.
Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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Allan Ochieng, alias MC Hype Ballo having fun during an event.
Hype Ballo Freed on KSh 500k Bail, To Report To DCI at the Beginning of
Hype Ballo Released On Sh500K Cash Bail - Kenya Insights