Arrest warrant issued for ex-cops after skipping court

Arrest warrants have been issued against three former security officials after they failed to attend court proceedings at the Kahawa Law Courts.

The matter came up before Magistrate Gideon Kiage on Wednesday for the purpose of setting hearing dates in a case linked to the Fighting Brutality and Impunity (FBI) movement.

However, none of the accused persons — Patrick Osoi, Hiram Kimathi and Jackson Kuria Kihara, popularly known as Cop Shakur — were present in court, either physically or virtually.

Magistrate Kiage noted the absence of the accused and sought clarification from the defence counsel.

One defence counsel, appearing for Patrick Osoi was present.

The counsel informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for the fixing of hearing dates.

Following confirmation that all three accused persons were absent, the prosecution moved the court to issue warrants of arrest.

The court agreed with the prosecution and issued the warrants against all three accused persons.

Magistrate Kiage directed that should the accused fail to present themselves to court during the next session, the warrants would remain in force and could be extended.

The matter was scheduled for mention on March 5, when the court expects the accused to be present or to explain their absence.

The trio was arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts earlier last year over alleged offences linked to the formation and activities of the FBI movement.

According to the prosecution, the group was involved in organising and mobilising members in a manner that raised security concerns, prompting investigations by law enforcement agencies.

The accused persons have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

After taking plea, the court released them on cash bail of Sh50,000 each, pending further investigations and the hearing of the case.

In July last year, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in a statement said it was investigating the accused for alleged terror links.

Cop Shakur was arrested after Osoi.

“In a related development, Jackson Kuria Kihara, alias Cop Shakur, was also arrested in Kahawa West in connection with the same offences,” DCI said.

DCI alleged that at the time of arrest, he was found in possession of a red beret bearing the ‘FBI’ symbol.

“Detectives have arrested Patrick Nyambaka Osoi, a founding member of the Fighting Brutality and Impunity movement (FBI), during a well-coordinated operation along Lang’ata Road,” DCI said.

Following the arrest, Osoi was then arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts, where he faced charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and for allegedly being in possession of a firearm, among other offences.