Suspects deny causing chaos in Mombasa

Some of the suspects connected with last Friday’s Mombasa chaos at the Mombasa Law Courts Monday. They denied the charges.  [PHOTO: Maarufu Mohamed/STANDARD]

By Willis Oketch and Joackim Bwana

MOMBASA; KENYA: Thirteen youths arrested by police during Friday’s protest in Mombasa were Monday charged with various counts including participating in riots and being in possession of illegal weapons.

Most of them were arrested in Majengo and Kisauni areas. The prosecution said some of the suspects were found with machetes, which detectives alleged were to be used to commit crimes.

The rioting youths also set ablaze a church belonging to the Salvation Army.

Other suspects were charged at Shanzu Law Courts, inside Shimo la Tewa prison for crimes ranging from weapons possession to assault and arson. All the suspects were unrepresented but they denied the charges.

A rioter, Ismail, suspected to have stabbed a Mombasa Polytechnic University student, Brian Otieno, during the violence, was charged with assault. He however, denied the charge before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Stephen Riech.

The magistrate remanded him until November 18, when he will appear for the hearing of his case, after prosecutor Superintendent Samson Kiptum opposed his release on bond because the injured student had not filled a P3 form.

“I wish to oppose the release of the suspect because the student is still admitted at Coast General Hospital,” said Kiptum.

Deadly violence broke out in parts of Mombasa after Friday’s mid-day prayers after the youth protesting Thursday’s killing of radical Islamist, Sheikh Ismail alias Rogo, clashed with anti-riot police.

Besides lighting bonfires along the streets, the rioters also threw rocks at policemen for hours. Looting and mugging was also reported during the unrest.

Initially, police claimed some rioters in Majengo threatened them with guns.

Sheikh Ibrahim and three other people were shot dead on Thursday night, sparking deadly riots in parts of Mombasa in which four people allegedly succumbed to police bullets.

Deadly protests

According to police records on Friday, close to 30 people were arrested during the mayhem, majority of whom were charged yesterday.

Twelve other suspects were charged with participating in riots at Majengo area during protests against the killing of the Islamic preacher.

The suspects were released on bond until November 6, when their case will come up for the hearing.

They are Swaleh Abdalla, Ali Athuman, Nazzir Mohamed, Kazungu Katoi,Suleiman Charo, Patrick Kenga, Charo Gona, Daniel Charo,Rama Fondo, Baraka Katoi, and Muthama Chuvi. The accused were released on a personal bond of Sh50,000 each.

Meanwhile, three people found with offensive weapons were charged in the same court yesterday. Omar Farid, Mike Wekesa and Emmanuel Mariko denied the charges.

They were accused that on October 4, at Mwembe Tayari in Mombasa County, they were found in possession of pangas while preparing to commit a felony.

The accused, not represented were given a bond of Sh50,000 or a cash bail of Sh10,000 each.