A Nairobi Court has offered suspected firearms dealer Ken Lugwili a temporary reprieve after ordering his release from police custody after he was arrested for being in possession of 22 guns and 565 rounds of ammunition that were recovered in an apartment in his name in Nairobi.

Lugwili who was arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu was released on a Kshs 300,000 cash bail after the court was informed that he was ailing and required constant medical attention and observation.

The prosecution was seeking a five-day detention of the suspect to avail time for investigations into his acquisition of the guns, claiming that he would interfere with the process if he was allowed back into society.

 Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache ,however in the ruling handed on Friday, June 24, stated the prosecution had not demonstrated how the accused would interfere with forensic investigations.

She therefore directed that the accused to always avail himself to the investigating officers when required.

“He shall report to the Investigating Officer when directed and not more than twice a week,” the magistrate said in her ruling.

Lugwili turned himself in to the Anti-Terror police unit on Wednesday, June 23, after the discovery of arms and was arraigned in court on Thursday, June 24 but did not face any charges with the prosecution filing an application seeking to detain him for five days to complete investigations, claiming that he was a flight risk.

Among other reasons for his detention in the application included time required to determine whether Lugwili is a licensed civilian firearm holder, whether his two companies SILKEN security firm and VIC-Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms and whether the recovered firearms are registered with the Firearms Licensing Board.

The prosecution also want an analysis of his phones to investigate whether he was in communication with persons in organized criminal groups and terror groups or if his financial records showed any links in the gun smuggling business or with terror networks.

Lugwili’s legal team comprising lawyers Simon Mburu and Anthony Kogo were able to successfully ask for his release on cash bail, arguing he is not a flight risk and since his arrest has cooperated with the authorities and is in need of medical attention as he suffers from diabetes and hypertension.

The case will be mentioned on July 7.