The High Court on Wednesday discharged Public Service Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa of a murder charge.

Justice Anne Onginjo discharged Aisha of the offense following a successful application by the DPP.

In her ruling justice Onginjo discharged Aisha of the murder charge under the Criminal Procedure Code 87(a) 1.

The Judge, however, stated that a discharge does not bar her future arrest and prosecution over the same offence should any new evidence be obtained against her.

The court considered an oral application made by Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Vivian Kambaga and prosecution counsel Ngiri Wangui to have the matter withdrawn.

The same application was supported by a letter dated 15 December from ODPP Coast regional coordinator Hassan Abdi.

The letter stated that after the review of the file, the DPP concluded that an evidentiary test in relation to the doctrine of common intention was not met to sustain the murder charge against Aisha.

Aisha is scheduled to be a prosecution witness in the case and testify against her bodyguard Geoffrey Okuto.

Okuto took fresh plea before justice Onginjo of murdering Ngumbao Jola on 15 October 2019 at Pendukiani, Ganda ward, Malindi in Kilifi County.

He denied the charge and the court freed him on Ksh 1 million cash bail.