SUSPECT LINKED TO RUTO HOME RAID DENIED BAIL

By RICHARD MUNGUTI - Nairobi News

Two terror suspects, among them an Ethiopian national alleged to be an accomplice of a man gunned down at the residence of the Deputy President William Ruto last July, have been denied bond.

Ethiopian national Ali Elema Wario when he appeared in a Nairobi court. PHOTO | RICHARD MUNGUTI

Ali Elema Wario, an accomplice to Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, who was killed on July 29 at Ruto’s residence, and Mustafa Amiana Busisa alias Musty Jamali were ordered to remain in prison until the cases against them are heard and determined.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot said the two who are alleged to be members of Al Shabaab and ISIS and ISIL are a flight risk.

Mr Cheruiyot said the harsh penalties that will be imposed on the two upon conviction is an incentive for both of them to disappear from the courts jurisdiction.

TRAIL OF DEATHS
The magistrate also said the court has taken judicial notice of the recent terrorists incidents in the country which have left a trail of deaths the latest being the one of Principal Secretary Mariam El Maawy and the Garissa University attack which left over 140 students dead.

“I concur with the state prosecutor Ms Everlyn Maika that the two suspects should remain in custody until the case against them are heard and determined,” Mr Cheruiyot ruled.

The magistrate said the two suspects are said to be communicating with their accomplices outside the country and are therefore “a great danger to the public if released.”

PLEADED GUILTY

Meanwhile, Wario was sentenced to pay a fine of Sh50,000 or serve a one month jail term for being in Kenya illegally in default.

Mr Wario pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching the Immigration rules by residing at the border town of Moyale within Marsabit County without a valid Visa.

Wario denied the charge of being a member of Al Shabaab terrorist group and being an accomplice of the slain Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammud who was killed at the residence of Mr Ruto at Sugo, Uasin Gishu County on July 29, 2017.

Ms Maika told the magistrate that the accused used to communicate with the slain terror suspect at the rural home of the deputy president using cell phone number 0724382689. Busisa denied he is a member of ISIS and ISIL.

Mr Cheruiyot said if released on bail he may travel to Syria and Libya where the ISIS and ISIL operate.