This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
On May 20, 2020, Mohamed Salim Mohamed, a Mombasa-based businessman and politician, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Florence Macharia at a Mombasa Court.
He pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in a prohibited gathering and flouting public health guidelines, as per the Public Health Act and Covid-19 restrictions.
According to the prosecution, Mohamed Salim Mohamed, alias Tenge, had organised a public gathering on May 18, 2020, at Majengo Kanamai in Kilifi South, where he distributed food, violating social distancing rules.
His lawyer, George Igunza, argued in mitigation that his client was unable to control the crowd, despite having official authorisation documents from the authorities.
However, the magistrate acquitted him on the first count and fined him Sh3,000 or served a month in jail for the second count.
Senior Principal Magistrate Florence Macharia stated, 'I have considered the mitigation and the application by the prosecution. Accused is acquitted on count one but fined Sh3,000 or 30 days in jail for count two.'
