Residents of Katine location Matungulu sub-county Machakos county were shocked after one of the residents was arrested by CID officers in Kambusu village for allegedly being a member of Al Shabab.
Hassan Munguti Muia, a former student of Kanzalu Salvation army school was arrested after his name was published in the daily newspapers as one of the Al Shabab militia members who launched an attack in Garissa University.
Munguti allegedly changed his name to Hassan after he transformed from being a Christian to being a Muslim several years before.
Speaking on Thursday to the media during his arrest in Matungulu town, the resident of Kambusu stated that he was innocent. He stated that had all the original documents needed to show he was neither a criminal nor an invader.
“In Kenya there is freedom of worship. I changed my religion and that’s when some people started saying I am a terrorist. The police have asked for my legal documents and I have my identity card and my school certificates. I have not done harm to anyone,” said Muia.
He further stated arresting him would cause suffering to his children who would be left without food.
“I am appealing to the government to intervene in this situation because I have left my children without food or anyone to take care of them,” he said.
The head of officers who arrested the suspect, Phillip Sifuna confirmed that the suspect had been handed to Machakos anti-terror police to face further investigations and that Muia would be transferred to Nairobi for further scrutiny.