The High Court in Kiambu has ordered the release of 15 former officers drawn from the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU), the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), who are facing charges of murdering two Indian nationals and their Kenyan driver.

Justice Francis Ole ruled that although the charges were grave, the State had not demonstrated compelling reasons to deny the accused bail. He noted that the officers were Kenyan citizens with strong community ties and that speculation about threats to witnesses or national security could not substitute for evidence.

The court granted each accused the option of a cash bail of KSh1 million or a bond of KSh3 million with one surety.

As part of their release conditions, the officers must deposit their passports in court, remain within Kenya unless granted permission to travel, attend court proceedings without fail, and refrain from contacting or intimidating witnesses.

Justice Ole warned that bail terms would be revoked if any of the conditions were breached.

Mohamed Zaid Sami, Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, and taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania Mwange were reported missing in July 25, 2022, after they were abducted near Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.

Sami and Khan reportedly arrived in Kenya in April 2022 to join the then Deputy President William Ruto’s ICT campaign team ahead of the hotly-contested August 2022 General Election.