Okiya Omtatah, 22 Protesters Freed as Bail Slashed to Ksh.1K
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and 22 other demonstrators arrested in Nairobi on Monday have been freed on bond.
Initially, the bond was set at Ksh.50,000 with an equivalent surety. However, the court later reduced the amount to Ksh.1,000 for each person as a New Year’s goodwill gesture.
The group was apprehended in Nairobi’s Central Business District while protesting against the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances targeting critics of the government.
They appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi on Tuesday, facing charges of incitement to violence and promoting civil disobedience.
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During the court session, the accused requested a lower bond amount of Ksh.5,000 each, citing financial difficulties, particularly during the New Year period.
The prosecution, however, opposed this request, arguing that the suspects posed a risk to national stability. They claimed the individuals had used social media to incite unrest and could potentially disturb public peace if released.
Police had also sought permission to hold the suspects for 14 days to complete investigations, a request that the defense team, led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, strongly opposed.
The defense argued for their release on free bond, highlighting the lack of sufficient grounds for extended detention.
Ultimately, the court decided to lower the cash bail to Ksh.1,000 for each of the accused. The Law Society of Kenya also stepped in, offering to pay the bail for all 23 individuals as an act of solidarity.
The court further directed that the mobile phones of the accused remain in police custody until the case is mentioned again on January 21.
Okiya Omtatah, 22 Protesters Freed as Bail Slashed to Ksh.1K
