Nairobi garage owner, Mr. Aggrey Odhiambo Ochieng who is suspected of involvement in serious crimes, including theft of state cars, has been refused bail by his trial judge.
A missing car, allegedly linked to presidency, was said to have undergone some illegal alterations in Mr. Ochieng’s garage before it disappeared.
The state prosecutor, Mr. Cosmas Ikunywa urged Senior Principal Magistrate John Mwaniki to make Ochieng the guest of the Nakuru Central Police State pending the conclusion of police investigations..
Mr Ikunywa told the court that the suspect had offered to give them information pertaining to the theft of the vehicle.
“We have good leads and we believe that the suspect will help us unravel the mystery,” a police source hinted.
The vehicle was stolen when its official driver, Mr. David Machui, was driving back to his house.
But presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu has denied that the vehicle was part of the presidential escort fleet, and that it belonged to the Police Service.
In spite of the State House disclaimer the vehicle was being driven by a presidential escort driver at the time it was stolen.
Mr Ochieng was also charged with being in possession of another stolen motor vehicle, with registration number KBR 870Y.
The vehicle was allegedly found parked at his garage at London Estate, on the Nakuru-Kabarak road on August 30.
Mr Ochieng, who appeared in court in his work apron, faced a second charge of being in possession of a home-made gun without a firearm certificate.
The case with be mentioned in a week’s time to monitor the progress of investigations and to review the suspect’s bail application.