Meru MCA charged with obstructing arrest at drugs den

Meru Municipality ward Rep Elias Murega when he was arraigned in a Meru magistrate’s court on January 24, 2020, charged with obstructing police who were carrying out arrests, and incitement to violence. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Meru Municipality ward Rep Elias Murega allegedly prevented police officers from effecting the arrests when they raided a drugs den.
  • He was released on bond and ordered not to cause further public breach of peace.

A Meru MCA was yesterday released on a Sh7million bond after he denied obstructing police officers while on a mission to arrest people found at a place police claim is a drugs den.

Meru Municipality ward Rep Elias Murega also denied a second charge of incitement to violence by urging youths to resist arrest.

It is alleged that on January 23, 2020, at Kaithe area of Makutano, within Meru municipality, he prevented six police officers from effecting the arrests.

The prosecution led by State Counsel Adams Chelule agreed for Mr Murega be released on bond, but urged Meru Senior Resident Magistrate Evans Mbicha to enforce a caveat that he should not engage in any breach of peace.

During the ensuing commotion, the prosecution alleged, a Toyota Probox belonging to one Mr Kiama was damaged.

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In the same court, three men, among them two students were charged with being at a place “where people resort to smoking, sniffing, inhaling or otherwise using narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances,”

Mr Peter Kihonge, Rotich and Mr Charles Mweteri denied being at the location situated at Kaithe area of makutano in Meru, and were released on a Sh3million bond.

The three were said to have been among the people Mr Murega obstructed their arrest.

Defence lawyer Calvin Otieno had pleaded with Mr Mbicha to release the four on cash bail arguing they were not a flight risk.

“Mr Murega is an MCA and a resident of this town. He has assured me that if granted bond, he will religiously attend court. We urge the court to consider granting him a reasonable cash bail and bond,” he said.

The magistrate ordered the MCA not to cause further public breach of peace. Both cases will be mentioned on February 6 while hearing will be on March 19, 2020.