Ten suspects accused of raid on police camp

Ten people suspected of killing a policeman during a raid on a police camp in Kaloleni in the dock Monday where they faced robbery with violence charges. [Photo/Kelvin Karani/Standard]

Ten people suspected of killing a policeman in a raid on a police camp at Kaloleni, Kilifi County, on December 11 have only been charged with robbery with violence in a Mombasa court.

They allegedly attacked the police camp with machetes and took away a G3 rifle after killing an officer.

The accused, who were brought to court under tight security, however, denied the charges before Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo.

They were accused of robbing Anthanius Kilonzi of a G3 rifle while armed machetes and using violence to kill on December 11, 2014, at Kinago in Kaloleni within Kilifi County.

The accused are Jacob Chanzi, Safari Nzaro Katana, Athumani Omar, Nzai Karisa, Kazungu Charo, James David Kombe, Kazungu Emmanuel, Katana Kahindi, Emmanuel Tsuma Charo, and Kahindi Karisa Samson.

Kahindi, however, faced another charge of administering an oath to members of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) and being in possession of witchcraft charms.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alex Muteti opposed their release on bail, arguing they faced serious charges and were likely to kill others if released on bail.

Mr Muteti termed the defence application to have them released on a cash bail of Sh20,000 a big joke.

Defence lawyer Wycliff Makasembo told the court that the accused were peasant farmers who should be released on bonds of Sh10,000 or Sh20,000 because they were still innocent until proved guilty.

He insisted the prosecution had not tendered any evidence to show that the accused were dangerous people who had to be kept away from the public.

The magistrate will rule on whether to release them on bond on January 22.

In the same court, 43 suspected members of MRC were remanded in custody until December 29, when the magistrate will rule on whether or not they should be released on bail.

Mr Odenyo remanded them after State lawyer Peter Kiprop opposed their release, arguing they were dangerous people as they could rejoin another group the police say was planning to strike before Christmas Day.