Okiya Omtatah now a free man as court lifts arrest warrant

Activist Okiya Omtatah. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Omtatah was detained at Kilimani Police Station where he spend the night and was presented Friday morning before Magistrate Mutuku.

A court in Nairobi has ordered for the unconditional release of activist Okiya Omtatah.

Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku on Friday morning lifted the warrant of arrest issued against the activist on Thursday by Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi.

CRIMINAL CASE

Mr Omtatah was arrested at Milimani law courts on Thursday for allegedly failing to appear before the Chief Magistrate for a hearing of a criminal case he is facing.

The activist had allegedly sent someone to tell the magistrate’s court that he was appearing before the Employment and Labour Relations Court and would go to the trial court as soon as he concluded the matter in the labour court.

However, the magistrate said that he has failed to appear before his court on several occasions.

Mr Omtatah was detained at Kilimani Police Station where he spend the night and was presented Friday morning before Magistrate Mutuku.

He was represented by Siaya Senator James Orengo who asked the court to have the warrant lifted since he did not fail to appear before the said Chief Magistrate intentionally.

Mr Omtatah and 22 other co-accused were arrested seven years ago for protesting over Sh4.8 billion free primary education funds and locking up offices of the Ministry of Education.