A total of 111 individuals arrested on Monday in connection with Saba Saba protests in Laikipia County have been released on a Cash Bail of Sh.50,000 each by Nanyuki Law Court.
According to the Charge Sheet, the accused were arrested for malicious damage of property at the Nanyuki Law Court perimeter fence and two government motor vehicles, estimated to be Sh.700,000.
Appearing before Nanyuki Resident Magistrate, Emmaculate Deche, Tuesday, afternoon, some 110 denied the charges, while one pleaded guilty.
Their defence lawyers from Law Society of Kenya (LSK) led by Mark Kibuchi, argued that the suspects were not of flight risk and hence pleaded with the Court for a reasonable Bail and Bond.
“We are praying for reasonable Bail and Bond terms; the accused are persons of fixed Bond and they all lived from the places they were arrested. They are equally people of meagre means and if the terms are too harsh, they will not be able to meet,” argued Kibuchi, adding that they needed a free Bond.
The prosecuting team led by Peter Gitimu, said the accused should not be granted Bail or Bond, since they were flight risk and could interfere with the ongoing investigation.
They further told the Court, if released it could pose a challenge in tracing them, due to their big number.
Ms Deche said that each of the accused persons will be admitted to Cash Bail of Sh.50,000 and one contact person. By the time of going to the press the accused were yet to raise the Cash Bail.
While releasing them on Bash Bail, the Magistrate pointed out there were no compelling reasons to continue detaining the suspects at the police station, some of whom were arrested on the eve of Saba Saba demonstrations.
“I direct that each of the accused persons deposit a Cash Bail of Sh50,000 and one contact persons,” ruled Ms. Deche.
There was heavy presence of riot police within the Court precincts, amid fears that tens of youths who had turned-up in a show of solidarity with their colleagues, would turn riotous if the prosecution succeeded in convincing the Court to continue detaining the suspects.
The case will be mentioned on July 29.
By Muturi Mwangi
