Monday, August 26, 2013
The Task Force that investigated the August 27, 2012 death of Muslim
cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo Mohammed has recommended a public inquest into
his killing.
When submitting the report on Monday, Senior Assistant Director of
Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jacob Ondari said that that the inquest should
be led by senior prosecutors in the office of the DPP.
"We have just handed over the report to the DPP and he has pledged to
release this report to any member of the public who may wish to look at
it," Ondari said.
He said that the public probe should be done with the necessary assurances to witnesses regarding their safety and security.
Ondari said that any member of the public who has any information but
has not recorded statement with the Task Force is at liberty to do so
during the inquest.
The Task Force received and reviewed 11 police files in regard to the
killing of Rogo where 29 witnesses were interviewed and recorded
statements with the police.
Rogo who was on a United States and United Nation sanctions lists for
allegedly supporting Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab militants was
killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle as he was
driving with his wife and children, sparking furious protests.
The Task Force however reported that it encountered a number of
challenges after the public took control of the crime scene and
contaminated it.
"The public removed the body from the scene and buried it denying the
police a chance to carry out important procedures like confirmation of
death, identification of the body and conduct of post-mortem," Ondari
said.
He said that the vehicle that was used by the assailants did not bear
a registration number plate thus it became difficult to trace.
They also reported lack of cooperation from some agencies and organizations.
The Task Force was also mandated to peruse and review other police
files in which the deceased had been charged with criminal offences and
which were either under investigation by the police or at various stages
of prosecution.
"The Task Force recommends that the incitement to violence case
against Abubakar Shariff alias Makaburi which is already in court be
brought to logical conclusion," he said.
Makaburi is charged with inciting his followers to burn churches following the execution of Sheikh Rogo.
The Task Force has also recommended necessary investigations be
conducted and concluded without delay on the burning of a government
vehicle belonging to Ministry of Finance and grenade attacks on police
officers within Lebanon area (Mombasa).
"The DPP is committed and ready to work on the recommendations and he has promised to act on them immediately," Ondari said.