Terror suspect detained for seven days

A court in Eldoret has allowed police to detain a Kitale businessman for seven days over suspected links to Al-Shabaab terror group.

Abdisak Hussein, who runs oil business in Kitale town, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa where he denied the application by the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU).

Hussein was arrested on Saturday February 9 at his petrol station in Kitale town. Police suspect he has been financing illegal activities associated with terrorism.

"We suspect the suspect has been funding illegal activities linked to terrorism. We ask the court to give us seven days to complete our investigations,” said Mr William Ndune, the investigating officer attached to ATPU in Eldoret.

The officer said that the investigations will include accessing the suspect’s mobile phone transactions, visiting his Wajir home to record statements from the locals among other aspects of investigations.

The suspect denied the allegations and accused the police of harassment and confiscating his mobile phones while relying on hearsay from his business rivals in Kitale.

“Your honor the case before you against me is a fabrication from my business competitors who want to frame me using terrorism allegations. I am a Kenyan from Wajir County doing genuine oil business in Kitale,” Hassan told Eldoret court.

He further stated that police had detained him for more than 24 hours before taking him to court as required by the law.

However, the investigating officer told the court that the suspect was transferred to their custody from Kitale on Sunday before they conducted interrogations on Monday.

The case will be mentioned on February 19.