Judge summons Mombasa police chief Robert Kitur over raid on Masjid Musa

Mombasa County Commander Robert Kitur. [PHOTO: STANDARD/FILE]

By WILLIS OKETCH

MOMBASA, KENYA: The High Court has summoned Mombasa County Commander Robert Kitur to testify in a case where the family of suspected jihadist Salim Hemed has sued the police over his disappearance.

Justice Edward Muriithi Monday ordered Kitur to appear in court on March 31 to shed light on what transpired during the arrest of Hemed on February 2 at Musa Mosque in Majengo.

“The County Commander is a very important witness in this habeas corpus application because even Inspector Evans Wasonga, who was the second witness, said that he left him addressing media after he had handed over Salim Hemed,” said Justice Muriithi.

Justice Muriithi also stopped the public from taking notes and photographs during the proceedings.

He also ordered that during the next proceedings, the only people who will be allowed to take still photographs and videos would be from registered media houses.

Justice Muriithi also ordered that the vehicle which was used to transport Hemed to Makupa Police Station also be produced.

Work ticket

“I am sure production of the vehicles and its work ticket and the driver will shed more light to help in determining what transpired on that day,” said Justice Muritthi.

The judge said he had stopped the public from taking notes of the proceedings after Inspector Wasonga expressed fears that some people were exposing him on Facebook.

He, however, declined to exclude the public from the proceedings saying they had a right to participate in the trial.

He said since the Constitution provides for fair hearing, he will allow the media houses registered to take proceeding to show that nothing was being done unfairly.

Hemed was among the 129 suspects arrested during a police raid on Musa Mosque to stop a jihadists’ convention. But the police say he escaped as he was being transported to Makupa Police Station.