A suspected Mombasa Republican Council member alleged to have been involved in the attack of security personnel at a polling station during the mock IEBC election was yesterday charged with robbery with violence in a Malindi court.

The court released 11 other suspects for lack of evidence to link them to the attack.

The suspect, Ibrahim Mohamed Bakari, who was brought to court under tight security, appeared before Malindi Chief Magistrate Lilian Mutende and denied charges against him. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Paul Okinda told the court that on March 24 at St Andrews Primary school polling station in Malindi, Bakari with others not before the court while armed with rungus and pangas attacked police officers and stole a firearm.

The firearm, which belonged to AP Constable Matano Rumba Masai, was loaded with 20 bullets worth Sh120,000. Mutende declined to release Bakari on bail and ordered him remanded at the Malindi GK Prison until April 17 when the case will be heard. The other 11 suspects were released after police failed to provide evidence to prosecute them. Okinda said investigations by police had established evidence linking them to the attack. Those released were Mohamed Ali Salim, Alfan Ali Salim, Mohamed Karisa Kahindi, Mark Chanzu, Omar Athman, Lawrence Nderitu Muriithi, Richard Wafula Michael, Ali Athman Abdalla, Hamisi Jabu Aziz, Wanje Kahindi Kaingu and Ali Hassan Gunga.

Meanwhile, the Catholic church yesterday condemned the attack by suspected MRC members in Malindi. Malindi Catholic Diocese Bishop Emmanuel Barbara warned that grievances cannot be addressed through violence saying such an approach undermines the freedom, dignity and lives of human beings.

Addressing a press conference at the Catholic Institute in Malindi, the Bishop condemned those are taking advantage of innocent youth to cause chaos in the area. "We call upon our brothers who participated in the violence to embrace peace, return the weapon snatched from a government officer and commit ourselves to mutual accommodation and non-violent participation. This will lead to stronger unity and advance our social relations in development, co-existence, collaboration and cohesion," he said.

He appealed to the organisation to talk to the government over the grievances instead of advocating for violence, which will be detrimental to all. "As a church we condemn such acts in the strongest terms possible and appeal to the community to guard jealously the peace we have experienced over time," he said in his statement. Bishop Barbara urged all parties involved to come on a board and engage in dialogue to address the cause of the problem.