In courts: Hearing of Kizza Besigye's suit against State over extradition to begin

Hearing over Ugandan Opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s suit against the State over extradition is set to begin.

The case, filed earlier in 2025 before Justice Lawrence Mugambi, challenges the circumstances under which the opposition leader and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale, were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024 and transferred to Uganda.

Besigye’s legal team argues that the extradition violates both Kenyan and international law, raising questions over extradition procedures and state accountability.

Notably, Besigye has been facing a treason trial in Uganda following his deportation, a development his lawyers argue underscores the urgency and gravity of the issues before the Kenyan court.

Ahmed Rashid trial

In another matter, the trial of Pangani-based police officer Ahmed Rashid is set to resume today, as the court revisits evidence surrounding the fatal shooting of two teenagers nearly eight years ago.

Rashid is charged with the murder of Jamal Mohammed and Mohammed Dhair Kheri, who were shot dead in March 2017 along Eastleigh First Avenue during a police operation.

The case resumes after earlier proceedings in August 2025, which heard intense exchanges over firearms allegedly issued to officers attached to the Pangani patrol team led by Rashid at the time.

During a previous hearing, prosecution witness Joseph Omwenga, a detective from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), told the court that investigators requested four firearms as part of the probe.

He testified that the request was formally made to the Starehe OCPD on April 11, 2017, alongside demands for Rashid’s pocket phone and other operational records.

Omwenga said only three firearms were surrendered, with one remaining unaccounted for.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Danstan Omari, the officer conceded that official records did not indicate which officer had been issued the missing weapon.

The defence argues that the unexplained firearm gap undermines the investigation, particularly after ballistics experts confirmed that a bullet retrieved from one victim was of 9mm calibre.

Shukri Adan murder case

Plea-taking is expected in the Shukri Adan murder case, with two police officers set to face charges over her death.

Godwin Mjomba and Patrick Mutunga Titus are slated to be presented before the High Court of Kenya to answer to charges following a recommendation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Shukri Adan Ibrahim in Mukuru kwa Njenga.

A post-mortem examination concluded that Shukri died from a penetrating gunshot wound to the head.

Earlier, Constable Titus had moved to the Judicial Review Court, arguing there was no basis for his prosecution.

He contended that the arms movement register showed his ammunition was intact and that the autopsy indicated a single fatal shot.

The court temporarily halted his arrest and prosecution in relation to the murder charges pending the determination of his application.

The victim’s family has urged the court to fast-track the case, saying justice has been long overdue.