Salim Swaleh, the press director in the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, is now requesting the court to order the police to release his car and phone, which were confiscated upon his arrest weeks ago.
Swaleh was arrested alongside five others on allegations of fraud, but to date, they have yet to be charged with any offense.
He is currently out on cash bail, awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether charges will be filed.
Through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Swaleh has asked the court to release his Toyota Land Cruiser V8, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and MacBook 14 Pro.
“During the arrest, the police confiscated Swaleh’s phone, laptop, and motor vehicle. The phone, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, is essential for maintaining communication with his family, work, and other important contacts,” the application reads.
Omari further states that the laptop, a MacBook 14 Pro, is used for work and educational purposes, including important documents and ongoing projects. The motor vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, is his primary means of transportation, and its confiscation has caused significant inconvenience.
“The prosecution can take detailed photographs or digital copies of any relevant data from the items to ensure necessary information is preserved while allowing Swaleh to regain access to his essential belongings,” Omari says.
He urged the court to release the items, arguing that their release would not prejudice the prosecution of the case.
Swaleh was arrested on June 23, 2024, in the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office on suspicion of committing several offenses, including conspiracy to commit a felony, attempting to obtain money by false pretenses, and impersonating a public servant, as outlined in the Penal Code of Kenya.
