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| Abdirizack Muktar Edow at the Milimani Law Courts Monday where he was arraigned to answer five counts of terror-related charges. [Photo: Fidelis Kabunyi/Standard] |
Nairobi, Kenya: A suspect linked to the Mandera terrorist attacks was arrested in Narok while transporting tourists to the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Abdirizack Muktar Edow, who is the owner of a vehicle that was allegedly found with eight hand grenades in Mandera Town on May 31, Monday appeared before Milimani acting Chief Magistrate Daniel Ochenja where he was charged with being a member of the outlawed Al Shabaab terrorist group.
Prosecutor Duncan Ondimu informed court that Edow was traced through mobile phone communication by officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.
According to the charge sheet, Edow was accused that on May 31 at Mandera Town, he allegedly authorised his vehicle registration KBP 274U to be used for the purpose of facilitating a terrorist attack.
Charge sheet
The charge also stated that Edow, on June 2 at Talek within Narok County, was found in possession of a mobile phone that had articles for the use in instigating the commission of a terrorist attack.
“The nature of the offence against the accused is serious as it touches on public safety and security. I urge the court to be alive to what the country is going through at the moment before releasing the accused on bail,” Ondimu said.
However, Edow’s lawyer George Suji opposed the prosecution’s request arguing that his client should be released on bail since he only hired out his vehicle to be used without knowing the intended purpose.
He asked the court to ignore prosecution’s application and allow the accused out on bail as he was willing to abide by all conditions imposed by the court. The magistrate is expected to give a ruling today on whether the accused will be freed on bail or not.
