By Monica Nashon
A Kisii court has deferred plea-taking in an assault case against Kassim Abdi Sebo to tomorrow (Tuesday), after his lawyer raised concerns about his understanding of the charge and access to legal representation.
Sebo appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Caroline Cheruiyot on Monday, October 12, to face a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
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He is accused of assaulting Maurice Auko at Homa Bay Bus Terminal in Homa Bay Township on July 9, 2026.
Although Sebo initially pleaded guilty, his lawyer, Nyamweya, asked the court to defer the proceedings, arguing that his client had not fully understood the charge or the consequences of admitting to it.
“Though he has pleaded guilty, he has not had an opportunity to understand the charge and the consequences of admitting to it,” Nyamweya told the court.
The lawyer further alleged that Sebo had been arrested on Friday morning, taken through several police stations and denied access to his family and legal counsel.
He also claimed that his client had been tortured and coerced into pleading guilty while in police custody.
“We ask that the matter be mentioned tomorrow to allow the accused person adequate access to his lawyers,” Nyamweya said.
He urged the court to ensure Sebo received proper legal advice before the proceedings continued.
Prosecutor Vera Amolo told the court that Sebo had not raised any concerns about the language used during plea-taking and had indicated that he understood it.
However, the prosecution did not oppose the defence request for an adjournment to allow further guidance on the proceedings.
“We do not oppose seeking guidance on the matter, and it can be mentioned tomorrow,” Amolo told the court.
In her ruling, Magistrate Cheruiyot deferred the plea-taking proceedings to Tuesday, October 13, and ordered that Sebo be remanded at Kisii Central Police Station.
She also directed the Officer Commanding Station at Kisii Central to facilitate access to the accused by his legal team.
Sebo was arrested at Homa Bay Bus Stage on Thursday night, October 8, following a warrant issued by the Homa Bay Law Courts on August 14, 2026. Following his arrest, police described him as a “chief goon”.
The defence allegations of torture, coercion and denial of access to legal counsel had not been independently established at the time of the proceedings.
The case is expected to return to court on Tuesday (13th) for further directions on the plea-taking process.
