Police have arrested 18 members of the proscribed Mombasa Republican Council during dramatic raids on several premises in Likoni estate where the group was allegedly administering oaths to recruits.
A team of General Service Unit, Administration Police and regular police officers staged the Sunday evening raids in which a man was reportedly shot dead and scores of others injured.
Police have denied claims that a man was shot dead in the operation.
Members of the group, however, named him as Mr Bakari Salim Mwakunyapa, a 22-year-old fisherman.
They also said his colleague, Mr Rashid Juma Haga, was injured in the raids.
Paraphernalia seized
A renowned traditional healer, who was allegedly performing the rituals, was also arrested and his oathing paraphernalia seized.
On Monday, 16 people appeared in court and were charged with engaging in organised criminal activities.
Mr Japheth Chidzipha, representing the MRC members, made an application for the prosecution to supply copies of witness statements and other documentary evidence to the defence to enable it prepare for the case. The application was allowed.
Two of the accused were not in court and principal magistrate Mr Richard Kirui ordered the officer in charge of Changamwe Police Station to produce them on Tuesday.
The rest of the group denied the charges and were each released on Sh300,000 bond with surety in similar amount. The case was fixed for hearing on November 7.
Members of the banned group believe that taking oaths makes them invisible and protects them from arrest during crackdowns.
During the raid, police used teargas to flush out members of the group from houses where they were holding meetings.
Police said at one of the houses, an MRC member shot into the air in a bid to avoid arrest.
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