Government put on the spot over extraditions

By Gerald Gichura

Muslim leaders have accused the Government of failing to follow due process in extraditing three Kenyans to Uganda over the recent bombings in Kampala.

At the same time, the Muslim Human Rights Forum has filed a case in Uganda to oppose the extradition and seek to have the suspects released.

"Our laws demand that no person may be extradited unless the court of law issues such orders. We do not know of their innocence or guilt but the law presumes any person to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Therefore, innocent Kenyans were forcefully rendition to Uganda by security forces," read the statement the leaders signed.

The leaders expressed concern that following the bombings in Kampala, women, children and old people in Mombasa and Nairobi were harassed and intimidated by security forces, which culminated in the illegal extradition of the three people.

The leaders included National Muslim Leaders Forum Chairman Abdullahi Abdi, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Secretary General Adan Wachu his Council of Imams and Preacher of Kenya counterpart Sheikh Muhammad Dor, and Muslim Human Rights Forum Chairman Al Amin Kimathi.

Violating their rights

They added that security agencies were violating the rights of Kenyans through illegal raids, arbitrary arrest and renditions to a foreign jurisdiction.

They urged Internal Security Minister and Police Commissioner to uphold the law and return the Kenyans for trial local courts.

The group said it was not condoning the Uganda bombings but was disappointed at the harassment of the Muslim community by the police.