Director of Public Prosecutions opposes bail for Lamu massacre suspect

Lamu, Kenya: The Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed the release on bail of a man accused of mass murder in Lamu County, arguing this will enable the suspect to embark on a fresh slaughter in Mpeketoni.

Mahadi Swaleh Mahadi alias Jesus has been accused of killing 60 people in Mpeketoni on June 15 and 16 during a bloody violence for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility.

The State claims the suspect participated in the massacre alongside Diana Suleiman Said and others, and opposed their release on bail. On Friday, Diana's Sh500,000 bond was cancelled by the High Court in Mombasa.

Yesterday, the DPP, through Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Edwin Okello, said Mahadi was part of the gang "which slaughtered the people in that area like goats".

He told Justice Martin Muya that Mahadi should not be released on bond because he was directly linked to the murder of 60 people at Mpeketoni on June 15 when suspected Al Shabaab militiamen struck.

Okello was replying to Mahad's lawyer Taib Ali Taib's submission in which he asked the court to release his client on bail because it was his constitutional right.

Taib argued the prosecution did not give any compelling reasons when it applied for the accused to be released on bond.

"Saying my client is a threat to security when he is released on bail is just a mere speculation which cannot be proved," he submitted.

He told the court the police had not shown how or what would interfere with the interest of the public if Mahad was released on bail.

The judge will rule on July 30 whether the suspect would be released on bond or not.