Protesters Face Terrorism Charges in Kahawa Court Investigations

The accused were presented last week at the Kahawa Law Courts, facing charges related to terrorism after authorities connected them to what was described as illegal protests.

During the hearings, the prosecution objected to their release on bail, referencing ongoing investigations and possible dangers to public safety.

A ruling is anticipated from the Kahawa court regarding bail for 36 protesters, including Democratic Congress Party (DCP) youth leaders Wanjiku Thiga and Peter Kinyanjui, known as Kawanjiru, who were detained over the recent demonstrations.

The accused were presented last week at the Kahawa Law Courts, charged with terrorism after police linked them to actions deemed as unlawful protests.

During the proceedings, the prosecution opposed their bail release, citing ongoing investigations and possible risks to public order.

The defence, however, asserted that the accused were nonviolent demonstrators exercising their constitutional right to protest and denied any involvement in criminal acts.

Legal representatives for Thiga, Kawanjiru, and the other protesters appealed to the court for reasonable bail terms, arguing that their ongoing detention violates their constitutional rights, including liberty and the right to a fair trial.

The court is set to decide today whether to approve their bail request.

In a separate matter, the hearing regarding the death of Rex Masai is expected to resume today at the Milimani Law Courts.

The inquest seeks to determine the conditions under which the 29-year-old protester was fatally shot amid the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in Nairobi in June 2024.

In earlier sessions, top police officials, including former Kamukunji OCS Chief Inspector Robert Mugo, denied accusations that officers utilized live ammunition during the protests.

Mugo informed the court that his personnel only employed tear gas and batons to disperse looters and had no part in Masai’s death.

The court was informed that around 60 officers were deployed from Kamukunji to handle the protests. Mugo testified that the officers used tear gas and batons (rungus) to control the demonstrators.

He added that he learned about the incident only through social media reports.

Additionally, the court heard that Constables Isaiah Murangiri, Benson Kamau, and Geoffrey Kigen were not under his command or affiliated with the Kamukunji police station.