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Man linked to terror suspect killed at DP Ruto’s Sugoi home charged


An Ethiopian national alleged to be an accomplice of a terror suspect gunned down at the residence of the Deputy President William Ruto in July has been charged with being a member of Al-Shabaab.

The man, Mr Ali Elema Wario, was separately sentenced to serve a one month jail term for being in Kenya illegally.

Mr Wario pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching immigration rules by residing at the border town of Moyale within Marsabit County without a valid Visa.

He admitted the charge when he was arraigned before Milimani Law Courts senior principal magistrate Mr Kennedy Cheruiyot.

DENIED CHARGE

However , the foreigner denied the charge of being a member of Al-Shabaab terrorist group by being an accomplice of Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammud who was killed at the residence of Mr Ruto at Sugoi Uasin Gishu County on July 29,2017.

State prosecutor Ms Everlyn Maika told the magistrate that the accused used to communicate with the slain terror suspect using a cell phone.

“Police from the anti-terrorism police unit (ATPU) have discovered through investigations that the accused is still communicating with members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group,” Ms Maika stated while opposing the release of the accused on bond.

The prosecutor said the accused will disappear if released on bond since the offence facing him attracts a harsh custodial sentence of 30 years imprisonment.

Ms Maika further said the convict has admitted that he is a citizen of a neighbouring country and that he has not fixed abode in Kenya.

“ I urge this court to find that the state has advanced compelling reasons to deny the accused bond,” Ms Maika submitted.

LACK OF EVIDENCE

Defence lawyer David Ayuma, while urging the magistrate to release the accused on bond,  disclosed that the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko had charged Mr Wario with the same offence in Moyale then terminated the case for lack of evidence.

Mr Ayuma stated section 49 of the constitution allows all suspects to be admitted to bond regardless of their nationality.

He urged the court to exercise its discretion and release the suspect on bond as he is still presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Mr Cheruiyot will determine on Friday whether to release him on bond or not.