24 deny Mombasa riot charge, remanded in custody

Twenty four people were on Wednesday charged over deadly riots that have rocked parts of the port city of Mombasa for the last two days.

The accused, who appeared before Mombasa senior resident magistrate Elvis Michieka, faced two charges of taking part in unlawful assembly and taking part in a riot.

The mostly youthful suspects denied the charges and were remanded in custody until September 3 when the court will rule on whether to free the group on bond.

Prosecutor Samson Kiptum urged the court not to release the accused on bond saying they were likely to interfere with investigations.

Mr Kiptum said the ongoing investigations may lead to more charges being preferred against the accused.

“I have instructions to oppose the accused to be released on bond. The accused were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) following skirmishes which have been going on following the death of Aboud Rogo,” said Mr Kiptum.

Mr Kiptum told the court that some members of the public have recorded statements with the police and that “some have not recorded and are in a queue willing to record statements”.

Lawyers for two of the accused persons, who had sought to have their clients released on bond or cash bail, objected to the prosecution's application.

They told the court that the accused are innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt and that granting of bond is a constitutional right.

The accused, allegedly on August 28 this year at Majengo in Mombasa jointly with others not before court, took part in unlawful assembly and riot.