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Suspected Al-Shabaab member charged in Nairobi court


A suspected member of the Al-Shabaab terror group has been charged in a Nairobi court with planning to attack the Milimani Law Courts among other government buildings.

Appearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Ms Hellen Onkwani on Tuesday, Mr Francis Macharia Karishu denied three counts of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and supporting a terrorist group by allegedly forging a national identity card bearing the name of slain Jirma Huka Galgalo.

Galgalo was a notorious member of the outlawed Al Shabaab terrorist group.

Mr Karishu was also accused of plotting to carry out a terrorist act inside Kenya having plotted the illegal act at unknown place within and outside the boundaries of this country on February 15 2018.

The suspect was further accused of embedding explosives in a motor vehicle – registration number KBM 200 D – thereby making it a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

FLIGHT RISK

During an ambush by police at Merti in Isiolo County a suspect, who was abode the arrested motor vehilce, was shot dead while two of his accomplices escaped into Somalia.

The accused was arrested in Kayole estate in Nairobi on May 20 after the police placed an advert in the media.

Objecting to the release of the accused on bond, state prosecutor Ms Laura Spira said Mr Karishu is a flight risk who is likely to interfere with the arrest of the other suspects on the run.

Ms Spira also expressed fear that once released on bond, the accused is likely to execute the alleged plans.

Mr Karishu’s case will be consolidated with another one involving five suspects namely Abdimajit Hassan Adan, Mohammed Osman Nane, Lydia Nyawira Mburu, Antony Kitila Makau alias Rasta and John Maina Kiarie.

The case against the five has been fixed for hearing on May 31, 2018.