Sheikh Dor denies incitement charge, freed on bail

Nominated MP Sheikh Mohammad Dor denied an incitement to violence charge when he appeared before Mombasa chief magistrate on Thursday.

The MP was released on a Sh2 million bond with a surety of similar amount and the case was fixed for hearing on November 13.

Sheikh Dor, who appeared before Mombasa chief magistrate Stephen Riechi, for his remarks that approved financial sponsorship to the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).

When asked which language he preferred, the MP asked the court clerk to read the charge in Swahili for people in court to understand.

Defence lawyer Adam Hamza had sought to have the MP released on lenient bail terms, an application which was not opposed by state counsel George Muriithi.

Shekh Dor allegedly uttered these words in response to the government's crackdown on MRC: “Mimi simjui mbunge hata moja, na simjui tajiri kwamba anaye kuwafinance, sijui,na kama wako kwani kuna makosa gani? Mkenya yeyote ,Mganda yeyote, Mtanzani yeyote na babake yeyote anahaki ya kusaidia MRC kwa sababu hawajavunja katiba, wakiniomba nitawafadhili."

According to the prosecution, the words indicated or implied that it was or might be desirable to disobey the lawful authority of the government.(READ: Police in Coast begin crackdown on gangs)

The offence is alleged to have been committed on October 13 this year at Mombasa Technical Training Institute in Tononoka area within Mombasa.

Hundreds of Dor supporters, including officials of Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, jammed the chief magistrate court to show support to him.

Prior to the start of the court proceedings, the supporters conducted a short prayer in the courtroom.

The MP, dressed in a white robe and a cream half-coat, arrived in court some minutes to 8am, sat calmly and started reading his Quran until his name was called out and the charge read.