The Milimani Magistrates Court granted bond to 187 individuals arrested during the July 2 anti-tax protests in Nairobi. The court provided a personal bond of KES 10,000 for each of the minors detained, ensuring they remain at Capitol Hill police station until their parents or guardians can be located. The adults were each granted a personal bond of KES 50,000, contingent on providing details of close family or relatives.
To counteract the common issue of police delays in releasing detainees despite court orders, the court mandated that all relevant details be recorded, and releases secured by 10am Thursday. The court will reconvene Thursday to discuss protection measures for the children, many of whom are orphaned street children.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had requested a 21-day detention for the group, alleging involvement in assaulting a police officer, malicious damage to property, and obstructing police duties. Corporal George Karanja expressed concerns that releasing the suspects could jeopardize ongoing investigations, which include the recovery of a firearm allegedly used during the protests.
The DCI’s request was supported by claims that the protesters had turned violent, breaking into business premises, assaulting a police officer, and causing extensive damage to a police vehicle. However, the defense, represented by Hosea Manwa of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), strongly opposed the extended detention. Manwa argued that the youths were exercising their constitutional right to protest under Article 37 and accused the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions of attempting to punish the demonstrators unfairly.
