Mombasa grenade attack suspect in hospital

• Mr Thabit Jamaldin Yahya application to be released on bond could not be heard as the court was told that he was undergoing treatment at the Coast General Hospital.
• Mr Muteti said the accused had been taken to hospital four times before a decision was made to hospitalise him, hence did not appear in court on Thursday.

A man suspected to be behind the grenade attack at the Bella Vista nightclub in Mombasa has been admitted in hospital, a court heard.

Mr Thabit Jamaldin Yahya application to be released on bond could not be heard as the court was told that he was undergoing treatment at the Coast General Hospital.

“I have instructions from the OC prison that the accused is still hospitalised, he is undergoing treatment,” state counsel Alexander Muteti prosecuting said.

Mr Muteti said the accused had been taken to hospital four times before a decision was made to hospitalise him, hence did not appear in court on Thursday.

The prosecutor also told the court that nobody was restricted to visit the accused in prison citing two occasions where a man purportedly his brother was allowed to see him.

Defence lawyer Chacha Mwita confirmed that his client was admitted at the hospital.

Lady Justice Maureen Odero then directed the case to be mentioned on September 14.

Mr Yahya has since denied murdering a security guard, Ms Mary Cheptirim, at the nightclub.

Through lawyer Chacha Mwita, Mr Yahya had applied to be granted “reasonable” bond terms, an application which the state counsel said he had instructions to oppose.

READ: Mombasa grenade attack suspect denies charge

The accused is alleged to have taken part in the grenade attack at the Bella Vista Hotel, Mombasa which killed one person and injured five others on May 15.

The case will be heard on September 19 and 20.

pmuyanga@ke.nationmedia.com