The letter has also been copied to the Director of Immigration with instructions not to allow Ba to leave the country unless the court process is concluded/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 20 – The Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Shelter Afrique boss Alassane Ba for allegedly assaulting a Kenyan woman.
In a letter to the police commissioner dated July 20, Keriako Tobiko has asked the law enforcers to forward the case file to his office if they need the assistance of a prosecution counsel.
“I direct that the suspect be apprehended immediately and arraigned before court to answer to assault charges. In case you require assistance of prosecution counsel, then do forward the relevant duplicate police file to this office immediately after immunity,” read the letter stamped ‘urgent.’
The letter has also been copied to the Director of Immigration with instructions not to allow Ba to leave the country unless the court process is concluded.
“The Immigration Director is advised not to permit the named suspect to exit the country pending the conclusion of this matter or unless the court orders otherwise,” the letter concludes.
Ba is accused of assaulting a female member of staff – Karen Njeri Kandie – at the organisation’s headquarters in Upper Hill, on June 28.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Ba did not enjoy absolute diplomatic immunity and should face the law.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka told Capital FM News that the Mauritanian executive is classified as an international civil servant and is bound by the laws of the Kenya.
Onyonka said that the ministry had in the past summoned the Shelter Afrique CEO after complaints were raised regarding the manner in which he treated Kenyan staff in the organisation.
“We classify his job as that of an international civil servant; he does not enjoy absolute immunity. If the gentleman has committed a crime and there is recommendation that he is arrested then we will take action without violating his rights. If there is a recommendation that he is deported we will implement it,” Onyonka said on Tuesday.
The Board of Directors of Shelter Afrique has indicated that it will hold a board meeting next Thursday to discuss the nature and circumstances of the altercations between the CEO and the Finance Director.
Board Chairman Elias Mpondela assured that views of all parties to the matter that their views will be taken into account as the matter was of cross-cutting proportions.