Islamic centre shut down in Machakos accuses CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro of contempt of court

MACHAKOS COUNTY: An official of an Islamic institution that was closed down three months ago in Machakos County by security officials has accused the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Ndegwa Muhoro of maligning their name.

Chacha Mwita, a top official of Darul Irshaad Centre in Nguluni, Machakos County said that by making repeated public statements accusing them of recruiting youths to join Al Shabaab, the CID was in contempt of court.

A court case challenging the closure of the institution, which was founded in the 1980s, is currently before a court in Machakos and is yet to be determined.

The institution, which offers vocational training and religious teaching to new muslims,   had been shut down in mid May by security officials at the height of bomb and grenade attacks in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

In the recent days, Muhoro has alleged on several occasions that the institution was closed down because that it was found to be recruiting youths to join Shabaab.

"Why is Mr. Muhoro discussing this matter in public where the case is before a judge? We are law-abiding citizens who have nothing to do with that criminal group. Muhoro should not abuse his office by soiling our names," he said today.

He added: "We are pained by his public accusations because we cannot respond to them equally in public fora because we respect the authority of the courts. We request him to cease from any other accusations until this matter is concluded in court."

 Mwita termed Muhoro's statements linking the institutionto Al Shabaab as unfortunate since they have been reported widely in local and international media.

When the centre was being closed down three months, there was no explanation for the move. A letter signed by the Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Mwangi and seen by the Standard simply stated that the facility should be closed down in line with the decision of the County Security committee. This prompted the officials of the centre to go to court to challenge the closure.

Subsequent meetings between Darul Irshaad officials and a team of top security officials in Machakos have been attempting to resolve the matter to address any security concerns with a view to reopening the facility.