8 suspects in Kisumu church violence set free

The clash happened when two groups collided during a service attended by the Linda Mwananchi team.

The 8 were released on Monday after the prosecution failed to prefer charges against them. 

Kisumu Magistrate Vee Agutu ordered their release in the hearing attended by Senior Counsel James Orengo, Faith Odhiambo and Babu Owino, who all represented the accused who had been in custody for 10 days.

She also ordered the prosecution not to prefer any other charge against them in the case and ruled that the file be closed.

The defendant's lawyers, led by Orengo, accused the prosecution of manipulating the courts to delay justice by attempting to prefer charges that they could not prove. 

Orengo maintained that the 8 were innocent and that it was part of an ongoing ploy by the state to use the police and the judiciary to settle political scores.

He, however, later lauded the court for administering justice to the 8 accused by allowing their free, unconditional release.