A police constable accused of involvement in a spate of violent robberies in Siaya and Kisumu counties has been remanded in custody for seven days to allow investigators to complete their inquiries.
Constable Mark Owino, attached to Holo Police Station, appeared before Siaya Resident Magistrate Jacob Mkala on Monday who granted a prosecution request for pretrial detention, citing concerns that the officer could interfere with witnesses if released.
The officer was arrested last Saturday at his duty station following investigations into a robbery with violence incident that occurred earlier this month at a retail shop in Ajigo Trading Centre, Siaya County, and was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV).
In his ruling, Magistrate Mkala said the court had carefully weighed the constitutional right to bail but found that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds to justify temporary detention.
“I have considered the reasons advanced by the State and I find that the only compelling reason is the likelihood of interference with witnesses by the respondent should he be released,” he ruled.
The court noted that some of the victims were still recovering from injuries and had yet to formally record their statements.
According to a police incident report filed at Bondo Police Station, the officer was arrested on February 7. Investigators believe he was among three men involved in a robbery that took place on February 2 at about 11.35pm at the trading centre located within Bondo sub-county.
CCTV footage from the premises which has since circulated widely on social media, shows three men inside the shop speaking with the shopkeeper shortly before closing time. Moments later, two armed men enter. One is seen carrying a rifle believed to be an AK-47, while the other is armed with a machete.
The assailants order everyone inside to lie down, issuing threats as they demand access to the inner section of the shop. At the time of the attack, three customers were inside, conversing with the shopkeeper.
The victims were forced to surrender their mobile phones and warned against raising the alarm. One of the attackers is seen slapping a person with a machete while issuing threats.
The shop owner, Ezrah Gumbe, said the robbery occurred as he was making final preparations to close for the night.
“I lost approximately Sh140,000 to Sh150,000, judging by my daily sales. We had not fully closed the shop, so the money had not been counted. They also took my phone, my business phone used for M-Pesa, and one of my attendant’s phones,” he said.
Mr Gumbe added that he sustained injuries during the attack.
Mr Owino will be held at Siaya Police Station. The case is scheduled to be mentioned on February 16, 2026.
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