A man of Ethiopian nationality who is an accomplice to a lone gunman who attacked DP William Ruto’s Sugoi home in July has been charged over his links with al-Shabaab.
Ali Elema Wario appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot on Thursday where besides being charged for being an al-Shabaab member, he was also charged for being in the country illegally.
Wario has no legal documents to prove he is legally in the country.
The court sentenced him to one month in jail after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
He has been living in Moyale Town, Marsabit County which borders Ethiopia.
However, he denied being an accomplice of slain Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammud who was killed by police after an 18-hour gun battle with police at Ruto’s Eldoret residence in July 29, 2017.
According to Daily Nation, state prosecutor Everlyn Maika told the court that the accused was in communication with Mohammud while he was at Ruto’s residence.
She added that Wario should not be granted bond since investigations have revealed he is still communicating with al-shabaab members.
“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,” Maika told the magistrate in her submission.
She went on to tell the court that Wario by virtue of not being a Kenyan national, he would disappear once released on bond.
“I urge this court to find that the state has advanced compelling reasons to deny the accused bond.”
However, Wario’s lawyer David Ayuma said Section 49 of the Constitution allows a suspect to be granted bond regardless of his nationality.
He also argued that the DPP Keriako Tobiko had previously charged his client on similar allegations in Moyale but the case was thrown out for lack of evidence.
The magistrate will give his determination on bond application by Wario on Friday.
He also directed that the suspect be repatriated back to Ethiopia after serving the one month jail sentence.