Anti-finance bill protesters released on Cash bail by a Nanyuki court

Nanyuki

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

KNA by Muturi Mwangi

Two anti- 2024 finance bill protesters suspected of leading demonstrators in looting and destruction at Chieni Supermarket have been released by a Nanyuki court on cash bail.

Detectives had filed an application before a Nanyuki court seeking to have Joyce Wangui Maina and Peter Mwangi Wangai detained for 14 days to enable them complete investigation and charge them with theft and destruction of property amounting to Sh300 million.

However Nanyuki Resident Magistrate E D. Deche dismissed the application ruling that there were no compelling reasons to detain them for two weeks pointing out that the detectives had adequate time to prepare charges.

“It is expected that the investigations have progressed noting the time that had already lapsed and in the circumstances it’s clear that the prosecution ought to be ready to present charges against the respondents(suspects). This court concludes that the prosecution through the investigation officer has failed to demonstrate that there are compelling reasons to have respondents detained in custody pending investigation,” she said.

She directed that the two suspects be released on cash bail of Sh20, 000 or a bond of Sh50, 000 with a surety of similar amount each and to appear back in court on July 16 for further direction.

The magistrate at the same time directed that the suspects were required to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) until the completion of the investigations over the incident.

“Upon securing release on bail terms, the respondents are to report to the investigative officer as shall be required of them for the purpose of completing the said investigation,’’ said the Magistrate.

The suspects through their defence lawyers had opposed the detention terming their arrest as politically instigated and aimed at intimidating them from organising demonstrations in future.

The prosecution had told the court that captured CCTV footage show the duo leading a group of persons in looting and setting ablaze a supermarket on June 25 and detectives needed more time to analyse the footage before officially charging the suspects.

Defence lawyers led by Kimaru Kibuchi lauded the court’s ruling that ordering the release noting that justice had been served.

A DCI sworn affidavit seen by media claimed that Wangai introduced himself to the Nanyuki police station as Lewis Ngunyi and gave a notice of a peaceful march via letter signed by him under false identity.

Courtesy; KNA