Police want suspect in Mandera grenade attack moved to Nairobi

Phillip Ochieng Omondi, who is believed to be part of a gang that hurled a grenade at a food kiosk in Mandera Town on February 7, 2015, appears in a Mandera court on February 16, 2015. Police want him moved to Nairobi for further interrogation. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Manase Otsialo

What you need to know:

  • Phillip Ochieng Omondi is believed to be part of a gang that hurled a grenade at a food kiosk in Mandera Town on February 7, 2015.
  • He is also linked to a suspected Al-Shabaab operative, Salim Kitonga believed to be behind two separate terrorist attacks in Mandera in 2014.
  • The suspect told the court that he did not object to having him moved to Nairobi if it would help in establishing the truth.
  • One of the investigating officers Mr Samuel Langat told the court the ATPU in Nairobi wanted to investigate Omondi’s suspected links with Kitonga.

Police in Mandera have moved to court seeking orders to have a terrorism suspect moved to Nairobi for further investigations.

The suspect, Phillip Ochieng Omondi, is believed to be part of a gang that hurled a grenade at a food kiosk in Mandera Town, leaving five people injured on February 7, 2015.

He is also linked to a suspected Al-Shabaab operative, Salim Kitonga, believed to be behind two separate terrorist attacks in which 64 people were killed in Mandera in 2014.

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Kitonga is facing charges in a Nairobi court.

State Counsel Allen Mulama said Mr Omondi is required at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi to help with investigations.

“The investigating officer in this matter has received instructions to have the accused transferred to ATPU headquarters in Nairobi for further investigations,” said Mr Mulama.

Mr Mulama told the court that preparations to transport the suspect to Nairobi were complete and that police intended to have him flown to Nairobi on Thursday.

EXTEND CUSTODIAL ORDERS

“We (request) for extension of custodial orders to enable (us to complete) investigations in this matter,” said Mr Mulama.

The suspect told the court that he did not object to being moved to Nairobi if it would help in establishing the truth.

“I have no objection to (being) transferred to Nairobi because what I want is the truth to be known and I pray that I be given copies of documents police are relying on so that I can prepare my defence,” he said.

In his ruling, Mandera Resident Magistrate Duncan Mtai allowed police to hold the suspect for a further seven days since the suspect had not objected to the prosecution’s application.

“Upon expiry of the seven-day extension granted today, the police shall either formally charge the suspect or present him in a court of law and seek leave to hold him further but in default of the above, the police shall set the suspect at liberty,” ruled Mr Mtai.

One of the investigating officers, Mr Samuel Langat, told the court the ATPU in Nairobi wanted to investigate Omondi’s suspected links with Kitonga.

“There is some information that the two could be linked and the case could be enjoined in Nairobi so that the two are charged together,” said Mr Langat.

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