Suspects arrested over Kilifi IEBC manager murder linked to various criminal activities

Authorities are investigating two suspects linked to the killing of Aisha Abubakar, the acting IEBC manager for Kilifi County, following their arrest in Utange, Mombasa.

The suspects are also believed to be tied to a string of criminal activities across the county.

Joseph Sunday and Brian Templer Oyare were apprehended during a multi-agency operation and presented before Shanzu Principal Magistrate Leah Juma on Tuesday.

Police Constable Oscar Mugalla, leading the investigations, told the court that the duo’s capture marks a significant step in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the murder.

“These individuals are suspected of engaging in various criminal activities within Mombasa County. Detectives are working to identify more victims and plan to conduct an identification parade,” Mugalla told the court. He also noted that other suspects connected to the case remain at large.

Magistrate Juma granted the police request to detain the suspects at Bamburi Police Station for 21 days to allow further investigations.

“The court approves the application to detain the suspects for the specified period to facilitate the completion of investigations,” she ruled.

Mugalla revealed that several items, including the victim’s mobile phone, multiple identification documents, SIM cards, foreign currencies, and what appeared to be cannabis sativa, were recovered during the arrests.

Also recovered were identity cards and birth certificates, bearing different names, which are to be verified by the relevant national registries.

Forensic analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones is pending at the cybercrime laboratory in Nairobi, while DNA tests on samples collected from the crime scene will be conducted at the Mombasa Government Chemist.

“We require additional time to conduct a thorough investigation, including intensive interrogation,” Mugalla explained.

Aisha Abubakar was killed in her Utange home last week when two armed men broke into her house. According to a post-mortem conducted at the Coast General Hospital mortuary, the cause of death was severe head trauma inflicted by a blunt object. Her 18-year-old son survived the attack.

The suspects are scheduled to return to court in February 2025 for further directions.