Elisha Otieno
17 August 2008
Nairobi — A 70-year-old Catholic priest, who was arrested after the killing of a 50-year-old man, has been released.
He walked to freedom at the weekend after spending eight days in custody but police have said that he could be charged with misuse of firearm.
Investigations absolved the priest of any suspicion in the death of Mr Polycarp Otieno, 50.
However, a University of Nairobi student, who was suspected to have accidentally shot Mr Otieno using the priest's gun remained locked up at the Migori Police Station cells. Migori CID boss Peter Kiboro said he will face a manslaughter charge in court this week.
Mr Otieno was shot during an attempt to kill a dog that was believed to have become wild at Sori beach. Police said he was killed by a stray bullet that had been aimed at the animal.
Licence cancelled
The priest's firearm has since been confiscated and his licence cancelled.
"It was wrong for him to give the firearm to somebody else. We expected him to behave better because he has had the gun since 1970s," Mr Kiboro said.
A post-mortem examination conducted on Mr Otieno's body showed that he died from a bullet that pierced through his brain.
The Migori district medical officer of health, Dr Mwita Nyamohanga, confirmed that he removed a bullet from Mr Otieno's body.
Two bullets were also removed from the chest of the dog at the centre of the case. A post-mortem examination was carried on the animal's body at the Kericho veterinary laboratory.
Several Catholic leaders, including Bishop Philip Anyolo of the Homa Bay Diocese, had called for speedy investigations into the incident.
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