Al Shabaab suspect claims he was framed

A former Maseno University student accused of recruiting children to radical Islam and Al Shabaab in Kilifi has claimed he was framed.

Samuel Wanjala Wabwile said he was framed by non-Muslim parents and officials of a school where he is alleged to have committed the crimes, adding the alleged conspirators wanted him ousted from the institution.

"I am a victim of circumstance and hatred. If the school and parents never wanted me in the village, they would have informed me to leave because I have plans to pursue my education further," said Mr Wabwile.

Wabwile, who took the name Salim Muhamud Wawbile when he converted to Islam, also denied prosecution claims that he was expelled from university for stabbing a student. He said he was suspended in 2011 after being implicated in student unrest.

The former imam of Liwatoni Mosque in Kilifi County is charged with being a member of Al Shabaab and recruiting seven pupils of Gotani Primary School in Kilifi to the militant group.

The suspect, who has been in prison since April, began to defend himself yesterday after the prosecution called its last witness. Wabwile said he had no witnesses because he believed he is innocent.

Mombasa Principal Magistrate Diana Mochache said she will give her verdict in January 7. Wabwile denied being a member of Al Shabaab, saying officials and parents who objected to the registration of a nursery school in the complex where he taught Islamic Religious Education had framed him. He said tension had built up between Muslims and Christians after Muslim parents complained that their children were being forced to take Christian lessons.