Eight activists released on bond over demonstration
Activists who were charged with holding illegal protests outside Parliament against the passage of the new security laws leave Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, yesterday after they were released on Sh300,000 bond. The case will be mentioned on January 2. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They are Wilfred Olal, John Koome Kamengo, Dennis Ouma, Francis Sakwa, Gacheke Gachihi, Dennis Okota Oyule, Kennedy Mbae and Ersphards Okello.
- The charge sheet stated that the words were calculated to mean that the protesters were ready to storm and occupy Parliament where the security Bill was discussed and passed.
- Nairobi Milimani Law Courts Resident Magistrate Miriam Mugure directed that the accused get medical attention and a report be filed in court on January 2 when the case will be mentioned.
Eight rights activists were on Friday charged with holding protests outside the National Assembly during the passage of the security laws on Thursday.
All eight denied the two charges against them.
They are Wilfred Olal, John Koome Kamengo, Dennis Ouma, Francis Sakwa, Gacheke Gachihi, Dennis Okota Oyule, Kennedy Mbae and Ersphards Okello.
They were accused of staging an unlawful assembly along Parliament Road in Nairobi.
The second charge read that they uttered words “occupy Parliament” and “polisi ni wale wale wa kitambo (police have not reformed”.
The charge sheet stated that the words were calculated to mean that the protesters were ready to storm and occupy Parliament where the security Bill was discussed and passed.
Their lawyer, Mr Mbugua Mureithi, told the court the suspects were tortured after they were arrested and urged the court to order that they be examined by a medical doctor.
Mr Mbugua also urged the court to release the young men on bond.
Nairobi Milimani Law Courts Resident Magistrate Miriam Mugure directed that the accused get medical attention and a report be filed in court on January 2 when the case will be mentioned.
She further released all the accused on a bond of Sh300,000.
Magistrate Mugure ordered the prosecution to supply the accused and their lawyer with witness statements to adequately prepare for their defence.
