In Mtwapa, Kilifi County, 81 persons were detained with crude weapons and accessories; they were accused with encouraging warlike acts yesterday.
On Thursday, the suspects showed up in Shanzu Court to answer for the alleged crimes they perpetrated in the Mikanjuni neighborhood.
The suspects, who number 76 men and 5 women, range in age from 20 to 70.
A charge sheet that was brought before the court alleged that the accused illegally gathered with weapons drawn and sang war songs in order to prepare for warlike actions against Kenyans.
After taking part in an illegal gathering at Jefwa Kaluki Bakari’s home, the suspects were also accused of planning to commit a crime.
They were discovered to be in possession of 41 pangas, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who informed Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yussuf Shikanda.
They all refuted the charges and were freed after posting a Sh200,000 bond with a single similar-amount guarantee for each of them.
As an alternative, they must each pay Sh80,000 in cash bail.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspects have been gathering at Mr. Bakari’s property every Wednesday for an unspecified purpose.
The 81 individuals are allegedly the heads of a clandestine organization that wants to overthrow the government, according to the police.
They come from the counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, and Lamu.
According to the police, they reportedly gathered to discuss how to carry out their plan.
The police stated that the group members operating in the six counties were to be informed of the meeting’s decision.
The suspects were apprehended on Wednesday carrying tools belonging to the Mombasa Republican Council, including machetes, knives, and witchcraft paraphernalia (MRC).
Following a tip from the public, the police discovered suspects in Mr. Bakari’s home in the Golden Key neighborhood of Mtomondoni.
At the moment of the arrest, they purportedly took an oath.
After their detention and court appearance, the police stepped up security to crack down on illegal groups.
The case is scheduled to be heard on July 14.
