Former Kenyan footballer faces court again accused of murdering a young girl in Nairobi with a co-accused.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder Collins ‘Gatusso’ Okoth is slated for another court appearance after being charged with the alleged murder of a minor.
Okoth, along with his co-accused Sylvia Aoko Odhiambo, stands accused of murdering a 3-year-old girl, Pamela Atieno, in the Lucky Summer Estate of Nairobi.
The charges against the duo indicate a grave and harrowing crime.
As part of the indictment, it was reported on April 22, 2024, at the Lucky Summer Police Station, Vide OB No. 7/22/04/2024, by Peris Muthoni, the Assistant Chief of Lucky Summer, that the body of an unknown juvenile was discovered, suspected to have been murdered and dumped.
Justice Alexander Muteti of the Milimani High Court, presiding over the case, has ordered both suspects to return on July 30, 2024, to enter their pleas after undergoing mandatory mental assessments.
In the interim, Okoth will be held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison, while Odhiambo will be detained at Langata Women’s Prison.
When Okoth first appeared in court in April, disturbing details emerged.
The court heard that police had discovered the child’s body behind the building where she lived with her mother and a friend.
The body was found half-naked with visible bruises on the neck raising suspicions of a violent struggle.
The prosecution was granted an order to detain Okoth for 21 days to complete their investigations.
During this period, the court directed that Okoth be escorted to the Government Chemist for DNA sampling and also taken to Mathare Mental Teaching and Referral Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
The case was scheduled for mention on June 3, 2024.
Beatrice Awuor, the mother of the deceased, provided a heart-wrenching account of the night of April 22.
According to her, she left her daughter at around 1 am to attend to an urgent matter, only to return at 4 am to find her child missing.
Investigating officer PC Gilbert Kiprotich, in a sworn affidavit, revealed that a weapon suspected to have been used to break into the house was recovered.
Additionally, it was noted that Okoth had begun packing his belongings, allegedly preparing to flee the scene, further implicating him in the crime.
Okoth, a seasoned footballer, joined Gor Mahia in 2010 from Tusker FC and later moved to AFC Leopards in 2018.
Okoth earned the nickname ‘Gattuso’ after the renowned Italian midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.
Just a day before the crime was reported, Okoth had participated as a TV analyst during the Mashemeji Derby at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The upcoming court appearance on July 30, 2024, is expected to be pivotal.
Both suspects will enter their pleas and the court will determine the next steps in this high-profile case that has gripped the nation.
