Nairobi News

A couple was on Thursday charged with being in possession of two hand grenades and committing terrorism act.

Mr Hassan Mahati Omar and his wife Fardosa Mohamed Abdi  appeared before Nairobi senior principal magistrate Ms Elena Nderitu and denied the charges.

They were remanded in custody after the prosecution successfully urged the court not to grant them bail saying investigations were not complete.

The accused allegedly were found in possession of the grenades with serial numbers not visible intended to cause grievous harm to the public.

The couple also allegedly being members of Al Shabaab was found in possession of the grenades which were meant to be used for terrorist activities.

According to the prosecution, the offence was committed on April 1 this year at Madina Apartments in Eastleigh Section 7 within Kamukunji, Nairobi County.

Prosecutor Isaiah Mwirega told the court that the accused are a security threat to the country and its citizens.

In his application to have the accused released on bond, defence lawyer Chacha Mwita said the constitution guarantees the right of the accused to be granted bail.

Mr Mwita told the court that the prosecution had not given any compelling reasons not to release the accused on bond.

The defence lawyer said the prosecution had not proved that the accused had the capacity and intention to interfere with investigations.

The magistrate in her brief ruling said there were compelling reasons by the prosecution to have the accused remanded.

“Lack of recovery of explosives is sufficient to deny the accused bail,” said Ms Nderitu.

Ms Nderitu directed the case to be mentioned on April 17 when the prosecution is expected to inform the court whether investigations have been completed for the issue of bail to be revisited.

The court allowed Mr Chacha’s application to have the prosecution supply witness statements to him.

The case has been fixed for hearing on June 25.