Man charged over grenade attacks
Mr Majivuno Mwasambu alias Pole at the Mombasa High Court where he was charged with the murder of three officers. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
What you need to know:
- Police tighten security in Lamu, Malindi and Mombasa to curb protests after prayers
A man accused of being behind the two fatal attacks that left three prison warders dead and seventeen others injured during the deadly Mombasa riots was on Friday charged with three counts of murder.
Mr Majivuno Mwasambu alias Pole appeared before Mombasa High Court Judge Maureen Odero but was not required to plead to the charges as the State requested for more time to wrap-up investigations and have him checked by a psychiatrist.
Lady Justice Odero directed that Mr Mwasambu be remanded at Central Police Station, Mombasa until September 12 when he is expected to plead to the three charges.
This was in response to an application by State Counsel Lucas Tanui to have the suspect remanded in custody for ten days pending the conclusion of the investigations and availability of a report from a psychiatrist.
“The accused was arrested on August 30 and police have not completed investigations,” Mr Tanui told the court.
And when asked by the court if he had anything to say, a calm and composed Mr Mwasambu said: “Let them conduct investigations because I was not involved.”
The suspect allegedly murdered prison officers Kipchumba Kipkoech, Kithome Mbugi, and Abdul Aziz on Tuesday at Mwandoni area in Kisauni, Mombasa County.
The judge also directed the High Court deputy registrar to appoint a lawyer for the suspect.
His arraignment in court came as the Coast Provincial Police Officer Aggrey Adoli appealed to those who witnessed Sheikh Rogo’s shooting to volunteer the same to police.
“I am appealing to those who saw the murder take place to volunteer information,” Mr Adoli said at a press conference he called to give an update of the security situation in the town.
Mr Adoli said the two-day riots hampered investigations as the police concentrated more on quelling the violence rather than investigating the killing.
Earlier in the day, security was tight around Mombasa and other Coastal towns of Malindi and Lamu to stop any violence or demonstrations after Friday’s Muslim prayers.
By Philip Munyanga Zahra Rashid, Sandra Chao, Anthony Kitimo , Bozo Njenje and Mwakera Mwajefa.
