Kabazi MCA Mbae, 8 others to spend second night in custody
Solai residents protesting on Wednesday after police blocked the venue for a meeting planned by Kabazi Ward Representative Peter Mbae and activists to discuss the progress of compensation talks. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The MCA and eight people were arrested on Wednesday.
During the incident Police engaged residents in running battles after they protested against the cancelling of their meeting with human rights activists.
Kabazi Ward Representative Peter Mbae will spend a second night in police custody.
Nakuru resident magistrate Yvonne Khatambi Thursday directed that the MCA be held at Njoro police station for one more day pending a ruling in an application made by police seeking to detain him for 10 more days to complete investigations.
CHAOS
Dr Mbae was presented in court alongside eight other people who were arrested on Wednesday following chaos that rocked Solai.
Police are investigating the offence of incitement to violence, malicious damage of property and arson, according to assistant superintendent of police Dorcas Cherui.
"The investigating team has crucial and vital information which may lead to arrest of more suspects. They thus seek ample time to have the suspects undergo the requisite police procedures including interrogations and recording of statements," said Ms Cherui.
The application was, however, opposed by the accused's lawyer Kipkoech Ng’etich, who accused the police of abusing their powers.
According to Mr Ngetich, the charges before court were politically instigated and meant to intimidate his clients whom he said are victims of May 9, 2018, Solai dam tragedy against demanding their rights.
According to the lawyer, the Police had erred in cancelling a meeting that was meant to update victims on the progress of negotiations with the owner of the dam for compensation.
He maintained that locals needed to know whether negotiations had collapsed and prepare them on the next course of action.
He urged the court to desist from being used by police to punish innocent residents and prayed for reasonable bond terms.
Kenya Human Rights Commission chairman George Kegoro was present in court in a show of solidarity with the MCA.
The magistrate in her ruling said she needed time to go through the application and also the submissions by Dr Mbae's lawyer before she ruled on the matter.
During the Wednesday incident Police engaged residents in running battles after they protested against the cancelling of their meeting with human rights activists.
