A businessman has been charged with obtaining over Sh 10 million by pretending to have a tender to supply food and oil to a US Military base in Somalia.
Mohammed Kassim Salat is accused of obtaining Sh 10,700,000 from Abdirashid Abdullahi Omar by falsely pretending that they would jointly venture into a tender for supply of food and jet oil to a US Military base in Somalia, a fact he knew to be false.
Salat is alleged to have committed the offense on 19th January 2021 at Eastleigh Shopping Center in Starehe sub-county in Nairobi.
He denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo.
Salat had opposed pleading to the charges since he has another private prosecution case.
However, the magistrate ruled that taking plea in this matter does not mean termination of the other matter.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, his lawyer requested to be released on lenient bail terms on grounds that he is not at flight risk.
The court heard that the accused has been out on police bail.
“He has been obeying police summons to appear at DCI Headquarters,” the lawyer said.
Surrender passport
The prosecution did not opposed his release on bail but requested be be ordered to submit his passport in court since he travels frequently.
However, the defense opposed the application saying his business extends outside Kenya and he will not be able to earn any income.
His lawyer claimed the same was discriminatory because of his client’s Somali ethnic background. He said a lot of people are charged but are not requested to submit their passports in court.
The prosecution responded that he can seek permission from the court if he wants to travel so that the court can know when he is outside the country.
The magistrate ruled that since it was not proven the accused is at flight risk, she would not give any orders as to the passport.
She granted Salat a bond of Sh 2 million with one surety of a similar amount. He was also granted a cash bail of Sh 1 million with two contact person.
The case will be mentioned on 18th August 2022 for pre-trial.
