MRC suspects to spend 14 days in custody
Mombasa Republican Council suspects appearing before a Kwale County Magistrate court over unlawful assembly and incitement to violence
BY SHABAN MWAJABE
Seventeen Mombasa Republican Council suspects arraigned in court recently will be detained for another 14 days to allow for further investigations on charges of inciting violence and convening a public meeting without notifying relevant authorities.
The police reports indicates that the suspects were arrested at Kibundani area of Diani location Matuga Subcounty in Kwale County with unlawful printed written words, “Pwani Si Kenya” and holding a meeting without the notification of the security agencies.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty in front of the Senior Resident Magistrate Patrick Wambugu.
Through the prosecutor Cecilia Wakoli, the court was requested not to give bond to the suspects who are also being investigated whether they are connected to the attack of Diani Police Station officers while on patrol soon after the arrest of the 17 MRC members.
The prosecutor also told the court that the accused come from different residences which if released may interfere with the investigations process.
In his response, the magistrate told the defendants that article 50 of the constitution gives them right to be given bond but due to the ongoing attack probe the court has a right to detain them until the investigations are over.
The hearing date will be given on April 18 this year when the probation officers file their reports.
