Governor Hassan Joho in Malindi to record statement despite police ban

Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho addresses locals at Mikindani health Center grounds, Jomvu Constituency in Mombasa County on Wednesday 23rd March,2016. PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Malindi, Kenya: Police have now asked Governor Hassan Joho not to go to Malindi for statement recording as planned due to state of alertness against terror attacks.

Police say he will be asked to record the statement at a later date and place to be advised.

The governor had been asked to go to Malindi Thursday but police feared the station would be jammed by his supporters and create chaos and insecurity.

It is not clear what intelligence police have on the visitation that warranted the cancellation.

Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet said they would inform him when they would need his statement.

“Equally, the Police wish to advice against impromptu public gatherings that they have not been notified and such gatherings will not be allowed at this point for security reasons,” he said in a statement.

But Joho said he would go to Malindi and that police cannot send a notice at night whereas he had made plans to travel there.

“We are heading to Malindi as earlier agreed,” he said Thursday.

Other Cord leaders had arrived in Malindi ahead of the planned grilling.

Police also told the general public that owing to the heightened state of alertness, unnecessary crowding around any police station or camp will not be permitted.

Police say they are investigating robbery with violence charges against Joho and six other leaders over the Malindi by-elections.

 Joho said he would tell police in his statement he has “nothing to say”.

Joho said he was surprised that he had been linked to a robbery with violence crime.

The other six leaders summon Monday to record statements are Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa, Senator Steward Madzayo, MPs Suleiman Dori (Msambweni), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita) and Agostino Neto (Ndhiwa).

Top Cord leadership had also indicated it would accompany the summoned leaders to the station.

Police say they are investigating robbery with violence over several incidents of violence and robbery during the by-election, including the undressing of Ms Mary Mwanguo, a Jubilee supporter.

The summoned leaders were supposed to appear at the DCI offices at 10am Tuesday but declined to do so, saying they were engaged in other important matters. However, they said they would record statements on Thursday.