Somali ambassador in Kenya Mr.Mohamed Ali Nur talking to some of the eighty one Somali aliens who are at Central police station in Mombasa waiting to be taken to Dadaab refuge camp. More than 90 people, including women and children, of Somali origin yesterday appeared in a Kwale court for allegedly being in Kenya unlawfully. PHOTO/FILE
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
More than 90 people, including women and children, of Somali origin yesterday appeared in a Kwale court for allegedly being in Kenya unlawfully.
Of the 94 before resident magistrate Christine Njagi, 43 were children.
They were arrested at Mahamudia Spiritual Centre in Mackinnon Road after a tip-off from the public.
The prosecutor told the court that the group did not have legal documents to be in Kenya.
However, defence lawyer Daudi Abdul said some of them had legal documents.
He was also quick to point out that the mosque was not conducting radical teachings.
“I know the first impression was that these people have links to the Al-Shabaab terror group. These are just moderate Muslims,” Mr Abdul said.
He pleaded with the court to free the 43 children and those with legal documents.
The magistrate freed the children who were immediately re-united with their parents.
Twenty one of the accused denied the charges and were remanded in custody until May 2 when the case will be heard.
The rest, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were fined Sh40,000 each or in default serve six months in jail and thereafter be repatriated to their country.