Former National Assembly deputy Speaker's kin charged

A relative of former deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Farah Maalim Mohamed has been charged with being in Kenya illegally.

Ibrahim Abdi Farah appeared before Nairobi's Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo and denied the charges. He faced two counts of obtaining registration by false pretences and being in the country unlawfully.

Mr Abdi, a Somali national, was accused of procuring registration as a Kenyan citizen and obtaining a national identity card by false pretence on December 20, 2013, at the Registrar of Person's Office in Daadab, Garissa. He was also charged with being in Kenya illegally on May 15, 2015, at the Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

He requested a favourable bond term on the grounds that the former deputy Speaker would stand for his surety. He denied the charges and was released on a bond of Sh500,000 plus one surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh100,000. The case will be heard on June 18.

Meanwhile, a court officer was charged with obtaining money by false pretence in the same court.

Josphat Munyua Kariuki was accused of obtaining Sh3 million from Beatrice Karwithia at Equity Bank Centre Branch in Nairobi on July 16, 2014, with the intention to defraud.

The defence requested a favourable bond term, saying the accused was the family breadwinner. He denied the charges and was released on Sh200,000 cash bail.

The case will be heard on June 16.