The Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) has sought more time to further examine the evidence in a case where four traffic officers have been accused of extorting motorists at Salgaa traffic checkpoint along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
On Wednesday, the prosecution urged the court to give them time to go through and compile their evidence before they proceed with the hearing of the matter against the traffic officers.
The officers, Peter Russo, Rose Kemboi, Kennedy Gicheba Mbeche and Joash Ogalo Ombui were arrested on February 12, by Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) officers as they were allegedly found receiving bribes from motorists.
They are said to have intended to share it out after work, while allowing defective motor vehicles and errant drivers to continue using the highway thus endangering the lives of other road users.
The officers had requested the court to give them a hearing to contest the EACC's bid to sue them, where they claimed their trial in the lower court is highly prejudicial since they were subjected to ‘trial by the media’ when their pictures were broadcast.
In the petition, they had said their rights risk being infringed on if the criminal charges are allowed as they have been condemned before members of the public.
On February 25, the officers moved before Chief Magistrate Samuel Mungai to defer the taking of the criminal plea to allow them argue their petition where they are seeking to stop the criminal charges.
Magistrate Mungai had allowed udeferral of the charges until the petition is heard and determined. However the High Court declined to give them orders blocking their prosecution and they were thus charged with the allegations in the lower court.
The trial magistrate, Joel Ng’eno slated the hearing of the matter for November 5 when the anti graft agency is expected to table evidence against the officers who had been released on a cash bail of Sh30,000.