Court proceedings against three women suspected to have been involved in the weekend attack on a police station in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa failed to take off after a communication breakdown with one of the suspects.
Shukri Ali, who is deaf, could not respond to a sign language interpreter provided by the court after yesterday’s hearing.
A Somali translator was also in court to help the other two suspects, Saida Ali and Naima Mohamed Ali, who cannot speak English.
Magistrate Emmanuel Mutunga gave orders for Shukri Ali to be taken for specialised medical examination at the Coast General hospital.
The trio, who are to remain in custody, are also to undergo psychiatric tests.
They are accused of hosting the three women, alleged supporters of the Islamic State group, who were killed after trying to stage an attack at the main police station in Mombasa on Sunday.
The hearing was adjourned until 21 September when a medical report will be submitted.