A Muslim cleric charged with terrorism in 2018 shocked a Nairobi court on Thursday after he declined to leave prison in spite of his acquittal.
Sheikh Guyo Gorsa, a former Madrassa teacher in Marsabit, pleaded with Magistrate Wendy Muchemi that he was not ready to leave Kamiti Maximum Prison since he feared for his life.
After the court set him free, the former Madrassa teacher refused to be handed to his relatives who were in court. He feared he might be killed.
Gorsa claimed that he would be executed by government agents hence asked to remain in custody until an application he filed at the High Court to be granted State protection is determined.
Magistrate Wendy Muchemi agreed with Gorsa’s application but for a period of 30 days in which he will pay for remand services.
The accused was arrested in 2018 by the Anti-Terror Police Unit and was subsequently accused of being an Al Shabaab operative, using his position as a religious leader in Marsabit to recruit youths into the outlawed group.
The government recently imposed a one month 6pm-6am curfew in Marsabit county following activities of armed bandits. Cabinet secretary for interior and coordination of National Government Fred Matiang’i while issuing the order said the one month-long curfew is meant to allow security forces to clear out criminal elements and unrest in the county.