In a dramatic court defense that has gripped public attention, lawyers representing Police Constable (PC) Rashid Charo, the personal bodyguard to Youth and Sports Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, have painted a harrowing picture of a peaceful official engagement that spiraled into chaos, fear, and ultimately, death.
Speaking during an impassioned press briefing, lead counsel Cliff Ombetta recounted how the PS’s life hung in the balance after he was violently attacked by Cecil Onyango Ouma, a youth mobilizer who allegedly demanded more money despite already receiving Sh 10,000 from the Principal Secretary’s personal funds.
“The PS gave him his own money amounting to KSh 10,000. He was not contented and attempted to grab more including the PS’s mobile phone, which has since gone missing” Ombetta revealed.
According to the lawyers, the deceased forcibly entered the official vehicle, lunged for the remaining cash and phone, and even tried to seize control of the steering wheel in a bid to stop the car. As tensions escalated, the driver was forced to pull over for safety.
“At that moment, the door was yanked open from the outside, and several youths pulled the officer to the ground while others pelted the vehicle with stones,” Ombetta continued. “Fearing for his life under active attack, the officer discharged approximately five rounds of ammunition, one of which fatally struck the deceased.
”The counsel described the officer’s actions as tragic yet necessary. “What happened is disheartening. Unfortunate as it is, what the officer did was necessary at that particular time.”
In a powerful rejoinder, senior counsel Danstan Omari emphatically declared PC Charo innocent, asserting he acted purely in self-defense after a series of provocations. “Hana makosa, japo yaliyotukia sio jambo la kufurahisha bali linahuzunisha” Omari stressed.
“Charo’s duty is to protect the life of the PS. Had the PS been killed, this would be a different conversation,” he said. The advocate praised Jacobs for remaining remarkably calm even as he was grabbed by the collar inside the vehicle.
The bodyguard only intervened decisively when the situation turned life-threatening.
Outside the car, a mob of rowdy youths had overwhelmed the security detail. PC Charo was pulled to the ground as he tried to remove the aggressive intruder.
In the ensuing melee, he fired warning shots to disperse the attackers. One bullet tragically struck Cecil, who was outside the vehicle at the time.
Forensic evidence supports the defense: no blood was found inside the car, confirming the fatal shot occurred during the external assault.
The lawyers successfully secured the return of the officer’s service firearm and personal belongings. PC Charo has not yet been formally charged, as investigations continue.
A heartfelt appeal for restraint
While expressing deep sympathy to Cecil Onyango Ouma’s bereaved family and friends, the defense team urged Kenya’s young people to exercise restraint and avoid turning legitimate engagements into dangerous confrontations and wait for inquiry to be completed.
Police, previously while seeking custodial orders, told the court that the tragedy unfolded shortly after 1:00 p.m. as PS Jacobs, accompanied by PC Charo and PC Peter Keter, departed the venue.
A group of rowdy youths surrounded the entourage demanding handouts. In the chaos, Cecil allegedly forced his way into the vehicle and sat beside the PS.
The driver was immediately ordered to head to Pangani Police Station, but the vehicle was pursued on foot and motorcycles, eventually trapped in traffic. Stones rained down as some youths attempted to seize the steering wheel.
PC Charo, who had been in custody since his arrest on July 2, was yesterday released on a personal bond of KSh 20,000 by Makadara Resident Magistrate J. Mayiah, pending further inquiry. The case will be mentioned again on August 10.
