A Kibera court has ordered the detention of a man accused of carrying out an acid attack on an SDA musician, as investigators widen their probe to include possible attempted murder charges.
The suspect, identified as Elvis Okoth Opiyo, was arraigned before the court and charged with assault and causing bodily harm in connection with an incident that allegedly took place along Ngong Road on November 25, 2025. He denied the charges.
During the proceedings, the suspect, through his lawyer, sought lenient bond terms, stating that he was willing to comply with any conditions set by the court. However, the prosecution opposed his immediate release, citing ongoing investigations into a more serious offence.
Prosecutors informed the court that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are probing a separate acid attack reported on March 17, 2026, which could lead to attempted murder charges. The court heard that the suspect is believed to have been involved in the second incident alongside another individual who is still at large.
According to investigators, the second attack involved two victims who were allegedly doused with acid, leaving them with severe injuries. The victims are currently admitted in hospital in critical condition, raising the seriousness of the case and intensifying the investigation.
The investigating officer requested more time to hold the suspect, arguing that the gravity of the allegations and the likelihood of additional charges made him a potential flight risk. The officer also noted that further inquiries were necessary to establish the full circumstances surrounding both incidents.
In her ruling, Magistrate Muthoni Njagi allowed detectives to detain the suspect for five days at Kibera Police Station to enable completion of investigations. The court, however, set a bond of Ksh1 million, meaning the suspect may secure release after the detention period if he meets the conditions.
The case has drawn attention due to the nature of the alleged attacks and the potential escalation of charges. Prosecutors indicated that additional counts, including attempted murder, may be preferred once investigations are concluded.
The matter is expected to be mentioned after the five-day detention period, when the court will issue further directions based on the progress of the investigations.
Authorities continue to pursue the second suspect as part of efforts to fully unravel the case and ensure accountability.
