Imam in Mombasa court for 'luring boys into Al Shabaab'

MOMBASA: A former Maseno University student who was expelled from the institution after stabbing a fellow student three years ago has been charged in a Mombasa court with recruiting schoolboys to Al Shabaab.

Samuel Wanjala Wabwile alias Salim Mohamed Wabwile was arrested in Kaloleni, Kilifi County, last month for allegedly radicalising and recruiting seven boys from Gadini Primary School in Kaloleni to the terror group.

Police say Wabwile was an Imam at Liwatoni Mosque in Ganjoni when he committed the offence.

Prosecutor Eugene Wangila said the accused had lied to the court when he sought bail to go back to university to sit examinations, yet he had been expelled from the institution.

Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi directed the accused to be remanded in custody after the prosecution opposed his release on bond, saying he is a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses.

The magistrate said the court was not in a position to appoint a state lawyer for Wabwile.

"The accused can appoint a lawyer and reapply for bond because the court is not in a position to appoint a lawyer because of the current structure therefore he will remain in custody," said Shitubi.

The accused had requested to have a state lawyer represent him.

The accused requested that he be remanded in police custody where he said he is undergoing counselling on terrorism.

"I pray I return to Port Police Station where I can access my lawyers if the court does not give me one, plus I have an anti-terrorism counselling session that I would not like to miss because I want to reform," said Wabwile who was clean shaven, unlike in his previous appearance in court when he was heavily bearded and with an Arafat scarf around his neck.

The investigating officer said the accused, who is from Busia County, is a dangerous man who has been trained by Al Shabaab.

The accused's trial will begin on September 17, 2015.