Nanyuki: A total of 111 individuals arrested on Monday in connection with Saba Saba protests in Laikipia County have been released on a Cash Bail of Sh.50,000 each by Nanyuki Law Court.
According to Kenya News Agency, the accused were arrested for malicious damage of property at the Nanyuki Law Court perimeter fence and two government motor vehicles, estimated to be Sh.700,000. Appearing before Nanyuki Resident Magistrate, Emmaculate Deche, Tuesday afternoon, some 110 denied the charges, while one pleaded guilty.
Their defence lawyers from Law Society of Kenya (LSK), led by Mark Kibuchi, argued that the suspects were not a flight risk and hence pleaded with the Court for reasonable Bail and Bond terms. Kibuchi emphasized that the accused were individuals of fixed abode and lacked the financial means to meet harsh Bail conditions, thus requesting a free Bond.
The prosecuting team, led by Peter Gitimu, argued that the accused should not be granted Bail or Bond, as they posed a flight risk and could interfere with the ongoing investigation. They expressed concerns that the large number of accused would make it challenging to trace them if released.
Ms Deche ruled that each of the accused persons would be admitted to Cash Bail of Sh.50,000 and required to provide one contact person. By the time of going to the press, the accused had yet to raise the Cash Bail. The Magistrate noted that there were no compelling reasons to continue detaining the suspects, some of whom were arrested on the eve of the Saba Saba demonstrations.
Heavy presence of riot police was noted within the Court precincts due to fears that tens of youths who had gathered in support of their colleagues might become riotous if the prosecution succeeded in convincing the Court to detain the suspects further.