Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has spoken for the first time regarding the assault and sodomy of blogger Bruce John.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, September 30, the governor distanced himself from the allegations that he was involved in the assault.
According to Nassir, weeks earlier, his mother’s home was invaded and the unknown individuals made away with electronics.
“I want to now give my version. I have tried to hold on for so long. About a couple of weeks before the unfortunate incident that is said to have been done on this young man, I live next to my mother, and her house was invaded twice, and we reported the incidents.”
“During the invasion, nothing else was taken except a laptop and a mobile phone, and CCTV footage were provided.
“When a video started circulating talking of words I cannot state about my mother, the first thing I did was speak to my family and we decided to leave this to all mighty,” he said.
Moreover, he indicated that the blogger had earlier sent him over 800 messages which he did not respond to.
“This young man personally sent me messages in excess of 800 from different numbers and I have never responded to any of them.”
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Mombasa Governor on Political Motives
At the same time, the governor lamented that he was being dragged down by individuals who were turning the assault into a political game.
In addition, he said that he was not aware that Bruce had left the hospital until doctors called him to reveal that they had been receiving threats over the matter.
“The doctor in charge at the hospital received a call from a senior politician threatening him and I only knew that this young man was not in the hospital when I received a call from the doctor.”
Nassir has also defended his County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Urban Planning, and Housing Mohamed Hussein, who was arrested in connection to the case.
“My CEC is arrested because he has been with me throughout my political journey. he was released and told to go back again. This country has a history of people being forced to talked about things.”
Also Read: How DCI Trapped and Abducted Blogger Over Nane Nane Protests
Arrested Individuals So far
On Tuesday, September 24, four individuals were arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa County and charged with abduction and sodomy.
Abdul Athman, Violet Adera, Esther Muthoni and Haji Babu, are accused of abducting and sodomising a Mombasa-based blogger on September 12, 2024.
Additionally, Hassan and Babu were charged with gang rape and assault with intent to cause actual bodily harm.
Bruce said that a group of 20 county officers stormed his home in Bamburi, assaulted and sodomised him at Miritini area before dumping him near the Mwakirunge dumpsite.
He explained that his attackers broke into his house and demanded that he accompany them to an unknown place to apologize for criticizing the Mombasa County government.
He was later taken to Mwakirunge wrapped in a sack and was rescued by a Good Samaritan who assisted him after hours of questioning.
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