Nominated MP Mohammed Dor. Photo/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 17 – Nominated Member of Parliament Sheikh Mohammed Dor was expected to spend the night in police custody and appear in court on Thursday to face charges over his links with the Mombasa Republican Council.
Police privy to investigations against the lawmaker said he would likely spend the night at a police station in Naivasha before facing various charges, including incitement.
Sheikh Dor was picked up by Flying Squad officers in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters where he was held briefly before being moved to the Nairobi CID offices.
His arrest followed statements made publicly at the weekend, saying he was ready to fund activities of the MRC.
“He is under arrest,” Nairobi CID chief Nicholas Kamwende told Capital FM News, adding “he will appear in court tomorrow.”
Police have been investigating the MP since Saturday when he castigated the government for carrying out a crackdown against MRC members, even after the courts thwarted the government’s attempt at outlawing the group.
He also said he was ready to fund its activities “because there is nothing wrong to fund a legal organisation.”
At the weekend, Criminal Investigation Department Director Ndegwa Muhoro told Capital FM News that four businessmen and three legislators were under investigation for involvement in MRC activities.
“You will soon see them in court… we have been compiling evidence against these leaders and businessmen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muslim leaders addressed a press conference at the Jamia Mosque on Wednesday afternoon condemning Dor’s arrest, and accused police of mishandling him.
The chairman of the Council of Imams and preachers of Kenya Abdullahi Abdi protested that Dor was arrested like a criminal.
“The government of Kenya must understand that you cannot mistreat citizens for generations, refuse to listen to grievance and fail to address historical injustices and ignore court directives,” the Muslim leaders said.
They said; “Sheikh Dor was mistreated in the street of Nairobi like a most wanted criminal.”
His driver who had been waiting for him outside the Jamia Mosque where he had dropped him off for lunchtime prayers said he learnt of the arrest from people around the mosque.
“When I tried to call him, his phones went unanswered so I started looking for him and was told to go see if I can find him at the CID headquarters,” the driver said, although he was not able to meet him there.
He was later referred to the Nairobi Area CID offices where he also failed to locate his boss.
Muslim leaders were particularly angered by the manner in which Flying Squad officers allegedly handled Sheikh Dor, given he is one of the senior most Muslim leaders in the country.
“Sheikh Dor is not an ordinary citizen. He is one of the most senior Muslim leaders in Kenya. He is the leader of the Muslim parliamentary caucus, Imam Mbaruki mosque Mombasa, Secretary General of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and a nominated member of parliament,” they said.
The government has been carrying out a ruthless crackdown on MRC members since last month – mainly arresting its leaders and members, including its leader Omar Mwamunadzi who was picked up on Monday and charged with incitement for rallying coast residents to secede from the rest of the country.
About The Author
