A Kenyan and three Somali nationals have been charged in a Nairobi court with killing 35 people at a quarry in Mandera.

The four were among those who police linked to the Al-Shabaab terror group, which is suspected to be responsible for the December 2 attack.

Mr Abubakar Salim Kitonga, the alleged mastermind of the attack, was charged alongside Mr Maslah Daud Hassan, Mr Musa Daud Hassan and Mr Shukri Abdi Salat.

The prosecution said they carried out the atrocity, jointly with others not before the court, resulting in the death of 35 innocent Kenyans.

An affidavit presented before a magistrate on Wednesday stated that the police had information that the respondents and their associates, who are still at large, have a vast network in the country meant to execute further terrorism acts.

STILL VOLATILE

“To date the situation in Mandera County is still volatile, some witness have expressed fear in giving evidence against the respondents due to retaliation by the Al-Shabaab,” prosecutor Daniel Karori said as he asked the court to deny the suspects bond till the case is heard and determined.

The quarry miners were shot dead and others beheaded at Koromey in Mandera when armed assailants suspected to be Al-Shabaab insurgents raided the camp.

The quarry attack was barely two weeks after 28 commuters were ambushed and killed while travelling from Mandera to their upcountry homes for the December holidays.
Mr Kitonga was further charged with being found with mobile phone data which had articles for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act, while his suspected accomplices were charged with being found unlawfully present in Kenya.
The prosecution said the Somali nationals were in the country illegally as they did not have a valid permit allowing their stay when they were arrested in Mandera on January 25, 2015.

Source:Daily Nations