This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On July 2, 2019, a Nairobi court granted blogger Robert Alai a Sh300,000 cash bail with an alternative of Sh500,000 surety bond after being charged with interfering with investigations in last month's Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on police in Wajir by suspected Al Shabaab militants.
According to the prosecution, on June 15, police officers from Khoral Haral Police Post in Wajir County were attacked by terrorists who had planted an IED on Haral road, resulting in the deaths of several police officers and injuries to others.
Prosecutors alleged that Alai shared a photo of deceased police officers on social media platforms on June 17, with the intent to help Al Shabaab and interfere with the maintenance of public order.
Senior Counsel Paul Muite and Edward Oonge, representing Alai, pleaded with the court to give him lenient bond terms.
Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi scheduled the matter for mention on Thursday to confirm the progress of ongoing investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU).
