Suspects accused of setting Mawego Police Station on fire charged with terrorism
They will also face arson and malicious damage of property charges
Eight suspects arrested for orchestrating the arson attack on Mawego Police Station early this month were yesterday arraigned at the Kahawa court to face terrorism charges
The eight, who include Kennedy Oluoch, Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi Opiyo, David Bill Clinton Otieno, Robert Ouko Abala, Samuel Ouma Odhiambo, and Erick Obunga Osumba, had earlier been detained under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court before being transferred to Kahawa Law Court after they were rearrested upon being released on bail.
They will also face arson and malicious damage of property charges.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said they were rearrested and transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi for arraignment.
“They were re-arrested on Monday, following closure of the miscellaneous application, and subsequently transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi, for arraignment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, along with additional offences under the Penal Code,” the DCI said in a statement.
While appearing before the Chief Magistrate Richard Koech, they all pleaded not guilty as the prosecution opposed their release on bond.
“All the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution opposed the granting of bond, an application that was contested by the defence,” the statement added.
Koech directed that the matter be mentioned again next week Tuesday, when the court will issue a ruling on the bond application.
The accused have been remanded at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
The police station was set ablaze by angry protesters who were carrying the late Albert Ojwang’s body, where he was briefly held before being transported to the Nairobi Central police Station, where he was pronounced dead.
Viral videos on social media show protesters carrying the uprooted signage of the police station while protesting Ojwang’s killing.
After the confrontation at the station, Ojwang’s body was taken to his parents’ home in Kokwayo Village, Kabondo Kasipul.
Some officers were spotted carrying their personal belongings out of the quarters, while others desperately poured water on the buildings in a bid to contain the fire.
