Tobiko orders arrest of Shelter Afrique MD

THE Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has directed the police to immediately arrest and charge with assault the managing director of Shelter Afrique Alassane Ba. In a letter to the police commissioner Mathew Iteere yesterday, Tobiko said Ba does not enjoy legal or diplomatic immunity as earlier stated. Tobiko also directed the director of Immigration Services not to allow Ba to leave the country until the matter is heard and determined.

Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Thuita Mwangi had written to the police saying the immunity enjoyed by Shelter Afrique officials in Kenya is not absolute and that the law should take its cause if the suspect is found guilty of an offence. The PS also advised the police to write a formal request for waiver of immunity against Ba and to obtain a warrant of arrest in case they want to expedite the process of stripping off his immunity.

Thuita noted that the government signed a host country agreement with Shelter Afrique in 1983 and that the agreement provided that without prejudice the officials should respect the laws and regulations of the country. “In this regard, should the investigations reveal that the individual is in violation of the Penal Code, then the law should be allowed to take its cause, bearing in mind that the victim is entitled to equal protection of the law,” said Thuita in his letter to the police.

Thuita said his ministry was in consultation with the Board of Directors of Shelter Afrique with the intention taking appropriate administrative and diplomatic action. The Board will on Thursday, meet to discuss the conduct of the MD who has been accused of assaulting Karen Njeri Kandie, a Financial Director at the Company.

Judy Thongori, the lawyer representing Mrs Kandie, complained to the ministry of Foreign Affairs after police were barred from arresting Mr Ba. Ba is alleged to have assaulted Karen on June 28, 2012 at around 11:30 am at the Shelter Afrique headquarters along Longonot Road, Upper Hill. Prime Minister Raila Odinga had called on thorough investigations and stiffer punishmenent for Ba incase investigations revealed that he was guilty.

Shelter Afrique is a Nairobi- based Pan African Housing Finance Institution owned by the African Development Bank, Africa Re-Insurance and 44 African Governments.  It was set up in 1984 and its extensive expertise in the housing sector has made it the preferred source of housing finance across Africa particularly for those on low and medium income.

Shelter Afrique employs 44 staff in its Nairobi Office including 24 Kenyans. The board said that 43 percent of its members of staff are women.-.and the Child rescued.She is to appear before Court today.Parents of young Children need to be very Careful when employing House helps. Lastly,the Al-Shabaab Terrorists have issued Threats that they will carry out massive destruction during Holy Month of Ramadhan.Let everybody be extra alert