No respite for Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth as court extends his detention over murder allegations

Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder Collins Okoth. Image/ Goal Kenya.

No respite for Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth as court extends his detention over murder allegations

Joel Omotto 17:10 - 13.06.2024

Ex-Gor Mahia midfielder Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth will spend 30 more days in police custody after a Nairobi court allowed investigators more time to probe defilement and murder allegations.

Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth will spend another 30 days in police custody after investigators sought more time to conclude their probe into defilement and murder allegations.

Okoth appeared at the Makadara Law Courts for the mention of his case on Thursday but the investigating officer sought more days to allow for completion into the charges he faces following a tragic incident in Lucky Summer Estate, Nairobi in April.

The former midfielder was accused of committing the offences on the night of April 22, 2024, during which a three-year-old child tragically lost her life while her mother was reportedly away from their rental house.

According to reports, the incident came to light when authorities received a report from Lucky Summer Police Station, indicating the discovery of the deceased child's body with signs of suspected foul play, including bruises on the neck.

The court had in April granted the prosecution's request to detain Okoth for 21 days to allow for thorough investigations but any hopes of an early release on bail was quashed following another request for more time from the investigating officer on June 3, and now 10 days later.

During the court proceedings in April, it was revealed that Okoth would undergo DNA sampling at the Government Chemist and a mental assessment at Mathare Mental Teaching and Referral Hospital before the case's next mention on June 3 but the investigators sought 10 more days, which granted, and has now asked for an additional 30.

The mother of the deceased recounted leaving her daughter alone in the early hours of April 22, only to return and find her missing. Investigating officer PC Gilbert Kiprotich stated in a sworn affidavit that a weapon suspected to have been used in the crime was recovered, alongside indications that Okoth was preparing to flee the scene.