Cliff Ombeta has become a household name in Kenya thanks to his track record of defending high-profile suspects in criminal cases that capture the country's attention.
The latest client he has taken on is Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who was charged with attempted murder over the shooting of Felix Orinda aka DJ Evolve at a nightclub in Nairobi on Friday, January 17.
Ombeta secured Babu's release on a conditional Ksh10 million cash bail on Monday, January 27, sparking varied reactions from Kenyans, some questioning the country's justice system.
It is not the first time, however, that Ombeta has secured bail for clients charged with all types of serious offences including murder and international drug-trafficking. In this article, Kenyans.co.ke looks at prominent Kenyans represented by the lawyer in high-profile cases.
1. The Akasha Brothers
Before their extradition to the United States on January 31, 2017, Ibrahim and Baktash Akasha had fought drug-related charges in Kenyan courts for years.
Extradition proceedings were initiated on May 26, 2016, but the case ran into various hurdles, with several adjournments and Ombeta securing bail for his clients.
After their extradition, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i claimed that the Akashas would possibly still be free men if they remained in Kenya.
“They never slept in a police cell. They were released 10 times via bonds by Judiciary. If the Akashas were not jailed in the US, they might be roaming here and continuing to kill our youths,” Matiang'i asserted.
2. Migori Governor Okoth Obado
Migori Governor Okoth Obado was represented by Ombeta after being linked to the murder of Sharon Otieno, a college student, who was also expectant at the time in 2018.
Ombeta told the court that Obado, who was charged alongside two of his aides, loved Sharon and could not murder her.
Obado was released on October 9, 2019, after depositing a cash bail of Ksh5 million and two sureties of Ksh5 million each. The matter is still in court.
3. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino
Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino was arrested on the morning of Friday, January 17, after Felix Orinda aka DJ Evolve was shot twice in the neck at B-Club, Nairobi.
As details and CCTV footage purporting to place Babu at the scene of the crime leaked, Ombeta emerged telling reporters Owino was accosted in an altercation and was taking care of DJ Evolve's hospital bill, noting that the two individuals were known to each other.
Owino was on Monday, January 27 released on a Ksh10 million cash bail to be paid in four installments.
4. Joe 'Jowie' Irungu
Ombeta represented private security contractor Jowie Irungu after his arrest in connection with the gruesome murder of 24-year-old Monica Kimani who was found in the bathtub in her apartment with her neck slit open.
Irungu, who was charged alongside journalist Jacque Maribe, was denied bail twice, with Justice James Wakiaga stating that his bail application lacked merit.
Ombeta sought to have Wakiaga recuse himself from the case citing bias and impartiality as he vehemently objected to the judge's description of Irungu as a 'woman-eater'.
5. Jacque Maribe
Former Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe was charged alongside her fiance Joe 'Jowie' Irungu in connection with the murder of Monica Kimani in her apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi.
Maribe was arrested on October 1, 2018, after it emerged that she was with Irungu on the night Kimani was murdered.
Represented by Ombeta, Maribe was freed on a cash bail of Ksh1 million with three sureties of a similar amount or Ksh2 million bond with one surety of a similar amount.
6. Assa Nyakundi
Lawyer Assa Nyakundi was represented by Ombeta in a case where he was accused of shooting dead his 29-year-old son Joseph Nyakundi.
Initially charged with murder, the prosecution later opted to lessen the charge to manslaughter. Prosecutors in the case accused the defence team led by Ombeta of engaging in various tactics meant to stall the case.
Nyakundi has been out on a Ksh300,000 bail since April 26, 2019, when he appeared in court after spending a month in hospital after his arrest.
7. Cyprian Nyakundi
Controversial blogger Cyprian Nyakundi is one of Cliff Ombeta's latest clients after his arrest on Monday, January 20, over an alleged extortion attempt.
Nyakundi, alongside one Emmanuel Nyamweya, were accused of attempting to extort Ksh17.5 million from a leading city banker.
Nyakundi and his co-accused denied the charges on Monday, January 24, and were released on a cash bail of Ksh300,000 each.
