A police officer who is facing charges of defiling a 14 years old girl in Murang'a police station on September 30 has been released on a Sh. 400,000 bond and a surety of the same amount.
Police constable Laban Njogu is also facing a second count of committing an indecent act on the minor in a police cell.
The police officer however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He had applied to be released on bond when he was arraigned in the court on October 6.
State counsel Solomin Njeru fiercely opposed the application saying being a police officer, he may interfere with the investigations.
Chief Magistrate Margaret Wachira however noted that the police officer had a right to be released on bond.
She said the prosecution had not given compelling grounds to deny him bond.
The magistrate said the prosecution's argument that the accused person would pose danger to the victim did not hold water as the minor had been released after her theft charges were dropped.
The victim was being held at the police station for stealing students' clothes in Murang'a University of Technology's hostels when the incident allegedly happened.
Wachira added that the minor has now been placed under the witness protection program.
The magistrate also noted that the development in the victim's theft case makes it possible to give the suspect bond as she is now safe.
" If the suspect is found to be intimidating or making threats to the victim or her family then the bond will be cancelled," Wachira added.
The magistrate scheduled the case to be mentioned on October 19 while the hearing was set for November 16, 2017.
-ALICE WAITHERA