Echo News Digital

Rex Kanyike Masai/Photo/file  An IPOA investigator has told the court that CCTV footage, photographs, and mobile phone data have been used to link officer Isaiah Murangiri to a man allegedly seen shooting at protesters during the June 2024 anti-finance bill demonstrations in Nairobi’s CBD, in the case involving the killing of Rex Masai. Principal investigator Justin Nyatete, attached to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), testified that investigators relied on multiple forms of evidence to place Murangiri at or near key protest locations on June 20, 2024. Principal investigator based at IPOA giving his testimony at the Milimani law courts on May 29,2026/photo/Reporter  “We have demonstrated through the photos that were taken, through the CCTV footage, that the individual captured in the still images and the person seen pursuing the demonstrators resembles Inspector Isaiah Murangiri, who appeared before this Honourable Court,” he said. Nyatete told the court th...

Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and senior police commanders have been accused of withholding key records and giving contradictory accounts in the investigation into the shooting of protester Rex Masai during the June 2024 anti-finance bill demonstrations that happened in Nairobi. Appearing before the inquest, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) senior investigator Justin Nyatete told Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo that police leadership did not fully cooperate with investigators. He said crucial operational documents were not provided despite repeated requests. Nyatete told the court that IPOA had sought operational orders, deployment schedules, arms movement registers and Occurrence Book (OB) extracts from the National Police Service. A photo of Rex Kanyike Masai/file The records, he said, were never released. This, he added, forced IPOA to move to court to compel compliance. The court heard that former Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei initial...

Gospel Singer Rachel Wandeto Dies After Acid Attack in Mwiki A young gospel singer, Rachel Wandeto, has died after succumbing to severe burn injuries caused by a brutal acid attack in Mwiki, Nairobi. Rachel passed away on Monday morning, May 18, 2026, while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she had been admitted in critical condition following the attack. Deceased Rachel Wandeto with a tattoo of on her body/Photo/X According to reports, the singer had recently attracted public attention after going viral for tattooing an image and name of President William Ruto on her body. The incident had sparked mixed reactions online before her tragic death. She was later attacked on the night of Friday, May 15, 2026, by unknown assailants in the Mwiki, Kasarani area.  The attackers allegedly splashed acid on her before fleeing the scene, leaving her with extensive burns covering nearly 70% of her body. A photo of Rachel Wandeto while on a hospital bed/photo/X She w...

Former Migori Governor Obado Acquitted in Sh73m Corruption Case  A Nairobi court has acquitted former Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado, his family members and several associated companies in a Sh73.5m  This is after adopting a plea agreement reached between the defence and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.  Delivering the ruling on May 15, 2026, Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore ordered the withdrawal of all charges under Section 137A(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, formally ending the case that had been in court since 2020. The court held that the plea agreement met the constitutional requirements on public interest, fair administration of justice and prevention of abuse of court process. Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado after his case had been withdrawn on May 15,2026/photo/Reporter  Magistrate Okore noted that the accused persons had already surrendered assets valued at approximately Sh235 million, alongside two motor vehicles, t...

Two Suspects Remanded Over Alleged Sh1.5 Million Milk Fraud Two men accused of obtaining goods by false pretences will remain in custody for three working days as detectives continue investigations into an alleged milk supply fraud involving Sh1.5 million. Abdi Yunis Abdullahi and Abdullahi Abdi Ibrahim were presented before the Milimani Law Courts, where investigators sought more time to conclude inquiries into claims that they failed to pay for a large consignment of milk supplied earlier this year. The court heard that the complaint was filed by Anzal Hussein Maalim, who alleges that between April 2 and April 7, 2026, he was instructed to supply 1,100 cartons of packed milk. Abdi Yunis Abdullahi and Abdullahi Abdi Ibrahim before Milimani law courts on May 8,2026 Investigators told the court that the delivery was made in Westlands using a lorry, after which the goods were allegedly transferred to another vehicle in the presence of the suspects. Police further alleged that after recei...

Man Accused of Stealing from German Ex-Navy Officer Alleges Assault in Police Arrest A Nairobi court heard of a case involving Michael Owuor, who is accused of stealing valuables from former German Navy officer Frank Steinberg Owuor is facing charges under case number MCCR/E366/2025 over allegations that he stole a golden ring, two mobile phones, cash, bank cards and personal documents belonging to Steinberg. The complainant is said to have hosted him at his Loresho residence for about three months before the alleged incident on March 8, 2025. The prosecution estimates the total value of the stolen items at close to Sh One million. Michael Owuor accused person during his hearing in Milimani law courts During the hearing, Owuor took an active role in cross-examining the investigating officer, questioning how the investigation was conducted and raising concerns over what he described as gaps in the prosecution’s evidence.  He challenged why individuals allegedly linked to the recover...

A man has moved to the High Court in Nairobi seeking KSh200 million in compensation, alleging that he suffered serious health complications after being prescribed expired medication by a city hospital. In his petition, Dominic Osiemo Nyang’au is seeking conservatory orders to stop what he describes as the continued storage and distribution of expired drugs at the hospital pharmacy. Osiemo wants the court to restrain the second respondent from allegedly interfering with him or ongoing investigations, and to declare the respondents liable for medical negligence. Milimani Law Courts building/photo/courtesy   In that petition ,he is seeking Sh200 million in damages for alleged physical, emotional and psychological suffering. The petition has been filed against Luton Hospital, Dr. Albert Ogendi Mandela and pharmacist Carolyne Nzisa, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board listed as interested parties. Court documents show that Nyang’au sou...

Two members of the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness have written to the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) demanding immediate clarification over what they describe as disputed HIV test results. The demand was made public on May 6, 2026, outside Milimani Law Courts, where the two believers , Millicent Awino and Peter Oyan  claimed they were healed during the Menengai mega crusade in Nakuru. Lawyer Cliff Ombeta alongside Peter Oyan and Millicent Awino during a press briefing on May 6,2026 According to Awino,she claims that she was healed through a televised live broadcast whereas Oyan during a crusade at Menengai in Nakuru. They were accompanied by their legal team live television led by lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta, and Stanley Kinyanjui, among others. In a demand notice dated May 6, 2026, the lawyers, acting for Awino and in the public interest, argue that KEMRI’s position contradicts documented medical records and her treatment history u...

Dickson Ndege Nyakango has been detained for seven days at Kilimani Police Station following his arrest over an alleged cryptocurrency-linked investment scheme. Nyakango was arrested on May 4, 2026, at the I&M Bank Kenyatta Avenue branch while allegedly attempting to withdraw funds suspected to be proceeds of fraud. According to investigators, the case arose from complaints lodged by Kestrel Capital (EA) Ltd and Genghis Capital Ltd, who denied any involvement in an online investment platform that was allegedly using their names without authorization. Dickson Ndege Nyakango before Milimani law courts on May 5,2026/Reporter Detectives told the court that the scheme was operated through a mobile application identified as “KCLNL,” which advertised an “AI fund” promising returns of up to 7 per cent daily while falsely claiming links with Kestrel Capital and Nathaniel Capital Partners Limited. The court heard that investors were recruited through a WhatsApp group titled “Kestrel & NA...

The case involving Nairobi Senator Edwin Watenya Sifuna will proceed before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) even as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) continues with its internal dispute resolution process. The tribunal, sitting in Nairobi, allowed the ODM Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IDRM) to continue handling the matter, but directed that its final outcome will be considered alongside the tribunal’s determination. IN COURTS The dispute, registered as PPDTC/E014/2026, pits Sifuna against Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. In its ruling, the PPDT affirmed that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter despite the ongoing internal party processes. The tribunal noted that the continuation of the ODM internal mechanism does not limit its authority to intervene and make a final determination where necessary. ODM lawyers Ken Amondi and Sam Makori had argued that Sifuna’s application before the tribunal...

Brian Kiprop Torotich has been released on Sh 50,000 cash bail after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of giving false information to a public officer. According to the charge sheet, Torotich is accused of knowingly giving false information to a police officer, an offence contrary to Section 129(a) of the Penal Code. BRIAN TOROTICH DURING HIS PLEA TAKING BEFORE MILIMANI LAW COURTS ON MAY 5,2026 The court also heard that the offence allegedly occurred on October 13, 2023, at the National Criminal Investigations Academy in South C, Nairobi, where he is said to have misled a police officer. The prosecution told the court that it was not opposing his release on bond but requested that the matter be mentioned after two weeks for pre-trial directions. “The prosecution does not oppose bond but prays for a mention in two weeks for pre-trial directions,” the State told the court. Defence counsel appearing for the accused informed the court that there was another matter pending before the Enviro...

COURT DETAINS BEATRICE WANGARI OVER DEATH OF NAIROBI HOSPITAL DIRECTOR DR JOB OBWAKA Beatrice Wangari will remain in custody for 10 days following a court decision in connection with investigations into the death of veteran gynaecologist and Nairobi Hospital director Dr Job Obwaka. Wangari, who appeared before the court, opposed an application by investigators seeking more time to continue holding her, arguing through her lawyer that there was no sufficient basis to justify her continued detention. Her lawyer, Levi Munyeri, told the court that Wangari had fully cooperated with investigators since her arrest and should not be treated as a suspect. “The application before this honourable court has not demonstrated any compelling reason to justify continued detention of the respondent,” Munyeri submitted. Wangari was arrested last Friday night at Nairobi Hospital shortly after Dr. Obwaka collapsed at her residence in Kitengela. The defence told the court that she acted immediately after t...