Mombasa grenade attacker a bomb expert, say police

By WILLIS OKETCH

A terrorist suspected to have killed a security guard at a Mombasa nightclub three months ago in a grenade attack is a trained bomb expert.

Anti-Terrorist Police Officer Corporal Adam Ibrahim says Thabit Jamaldin Yahya has also been trained in undercover operations, bodyguard duties, surveillance and survival.

Ibrahim advised that Yahya be detained because he could easily escape to Saudi Arabia or Somalia.

He added that during investigations, officers discovered that the accused went to Saudi Arabia between February 2011 and July 2011 before returning to Kenya enroute Somalia.

While opposing his release on bond, Ibrahim said the terror suspect had undergone training in the handling of weapons, explosives and surveillance.

“I am apprehensive that if the accused person is released on bail he will not turn up for trial and might escape to Saudi Arabia or Somalia where he previously has been to,” said Ibrahim.

Yahya denied the allegations before Justice Maureen Odero who remanded him until August 16 when his application for bail will be argued.

The judge set the date after State Prosecutor Alexander Muteti opposed an application for bail through his lawyer Mwita Chacha.

The judge also ordered Yahya to be taken back to Coast General Hospital (CGH) for treatment after his lawyer complained his wound had worsened after being discharged from the hospital.

The accused came to court confined to a wheelchair. He denied killing Mary Cheptoo on May 16 at around 9pm on Moi Avenue in Mombasa.

Muteti opposed the bail application following an affidavit sworn by one of the investigation officers, saying he could easily jump bail.

Ibrahim, in a sworn statement, confirmed the accused was arrested at the Coast General Hospital where he had been admitted.

He argued in the interest of justice and security, the suspect’s right to bail be limited to await trial.

The accused faces murder charges that attract a death penalty.