The hearing of the case involving Police Constable Rashid Charo, the main suspect in the death of Kariokor youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma, has been pushed forward by 10 days as the prosecution and defence await a ballistics report from the police.
Charo appeared before the Makadara court on Monday accompanied by relatives, but the hearing could not proceed after both sides told the court they had not received the report needed for the case.
Magistrate James Juma Maiya directed the prosecution and defence to return to court on August 19, when the hearing is expected to proceed.
The report is expected to be received and analysed by the Director of Public Prosecutions during the 10-day period. Its findings will guide the prosecution on the next step in the case.
Charo, who is out on bond, was represented by lawyer Cliff Ombeta, who appeared virtually. The lawyer maintained that his client was cooperating with investigators.
The prosecution told the court that Charo would not suffer any prejudice from the delay because he remains out on bond.
Ouma's family was not represented during the court session.
The case stems from the death of Ouma, who was allegedly shot by one of the bodyguards attached to Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs on June 30.
The shooting reportedly happened after Ouma had met youths at Kariokor Social Hall.
Following the incident, police recovered two pistols from the PS's bodyguards and subjected them to forensic analysis. The prosecution is now waiting for the ballistics report from the examination as it prepares for the next stage of the case.
A postmortem examination established that Ouma died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
The examination was carried out by pathologists representing both the government and Ouma's family. It established that the bullet caused extensive internal injuries and massive bleeding, resulting in his death.
The court will now reconvene on August 19, when the parties are expected to have the ballistics report and proceed with the hearing.