Seven charged over protest

Seven people were Monday charged in court with assaulting five police officers and malicious destruction of property during last Friday’s protest outside Jamia Mosque.

The youth, aged between 17 and 38, also denied stealing property worth Sh10 million from First Community Bank on January 15 and a further charge of damaging property worth Sh12 million.

The seven were: Mohamed Dagane, Hussein Lokadeli, Mohammed Abdi, Bernard Wanjala, Hassan Hussein, Simon Gatonye and Mohammed Maloba Yusuf.

They were first charged with taking part in an illegal assembly and conducting themselves with intent to breach peace along Banda Street within the central business district.

On the second charge, it is alleged that the seven, with others who were not in court, assaulted five police officers during the protests on Friday.

According to the charge sheet, the five officers: Mr Richard Muguai, Ndwiga Nguli, Joseph Mburu, Mohamed Gola and Peter Ila, were discharging their duties when they were allegedly assaulted.

The prosecution further alleged that they stole computers, a scanner, a currency note counting machine, two chairs, five queue stands, 20 glass panels, two bullet proof glasses, a phones from First Community Bank at Jamia Shopping Mall.

It was also alleged that the seven maliciously destroyed window panes valued at Sh12 million at mall on January 15.

Defended by two lawyers, the accused persons demanded the release of their mobile phones and pairs of shoes which they claim were stolen by police officers at Central Police Station.

Chief magistrate Gilbert Mutembei, however, directed them to lodge a complaint with the officer commanding the station and a report made to him on January 20.

Lawyer Harun Ndubi informed the magistrate that Mohammed Abdi was aged 17 and a student at Afraha Secondary School in Nakuru. The prosecution dismissed the allegation saying students were in class.

The alleged student was released on a bond of Sh100,000 with one surety while his co-accused were asked to deposit cash bail of Sh100,000 to secure their release.

The case will be heard on March 17.