Governor Nassir records statement with police on abduction, sodomy of Mombasa blogger

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has recorded a statement at the Regional Police Headquarters regarding the abduction and sodomy of a 25-year-old blogger based in the Coastal city three weeks ago.

The victim, Bruce John, claims that a group of about 20 county officers abducted him at his home in Bamburi on September 12 for criticizing Nassir's leadership, before assaulting and taking turns sexually assaulting him at Miritini area.

Addressing journalists after recording the statement in Mombasa, Nassir urged the police to expedite investigations into the inhumane incident.

"Nimejileta hapa kwa hiari yangu kwa sababu hakuna yeyote yuko juu ya sheria. Hicho kitendo lazima kiweze kulaaniwa," said Nassir.

"Lazima haki iweze kupatikana kwa huyu kijna na vitendo kama hivi. Nimeomba DCI waweze kuharakisha na waweze kumaliza hili jambo ili kijana aweze kupata haki yake."

On September 30, the Mombasa County boss said he was “hurt” by accusations linking him to the heinous act.

Addressing a press conference in Mombasa, Nassir insisted that neither his mother nor himself played a hand in the blogger's attack.

“Throughout my life, neither I nor any of my family members have crossed the line of meting out violence on anyone. Even on public platforms, my policy is never to mention anyone by name, or speaking vulgar language,” the Governor said then.

Four individuals have since been arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts in connection with the incident.

Abdul Athman, Violet Adera, Esther Muthoni and Haji Babu, are accused of orchestrating the attack.

"They were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and abduction with intent to confine," the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement on X on September 24.

Additionally, Hassan and Babu were charged with gang rape and assault with intent to cause actual bodily harm.

They denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Robert Mbogo.

The suspects similarly applied for bail but the prosecution team, led by Anthony Musyoka, opposed the plea on grounds that the quartet are a flight risk.