Hillary Matindwet, suspected mastermind of notorious 'Mulot SIM swap' syndicate freed on KSh300,000 bail

David Mutai alias Hillary Langat Matindwet, the suspected mastermind of the infamous 'Mulot SIM swap' syndicate was on Friday, January 6 released on bail by Kiambu Law Court.

Kiambu Principal Magistrate Meresia Opondo freed Matindwet on a cash bail of KSh300,000 or a bond of KSh500,000 with a surety of similar amount, waiting a forensic report from cyber crime after being in police custody since December 30 last year when he was arrested.

In his ruling, Magistrate Opondo said it's important to balance the prosecution and the suspect's rights. The magistrate poked holes into what she termed as unjustifiable and unlawful arrests of suspects without completion of investigation, arguing that this is the start of a violation of fundamental rights of the suspect.

The magistrate said the investigation officer did not give compelling reasons to continue holding the suspect in police custody by denying him bond or bail pending conclusion of investigation.

Matindwet's arrest

Matindwet - who police say has served jail term before - was arrested at the Kericho Kenya Commercial Bank, after members of the public spotted him in the town and went after him.

"His attempt to flee was immediately thwarted by the youthful young men of athletic height who went after after him in long strides, bringing him down with a heavy thud after a few metres," the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported at the time.

Police officers who were guarding the bank saved Matindwet from the irate mob that was baying for his blood.

Matindwet’s arrest came two days after detectives based at the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau unmasked his identity, following numerous complains from members of the public who had been defrauded by the suspect and his gang.