DPP Haji Drops Cases Against Six Azimio MPs Hours After Raila's Demand
The ODPP also declared his intention to withdraw another 200 cases against protestors arrested during the anti-government demonstrations.
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The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has withdrawn cases against six Members of Parliament (MP) allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
While at the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, April 3, the ODPP also declared his intention to withdraw another 200 cases against protestors arrested during the anti-government demonstrations.
The six MPS were charged with participating in the Azimio demonstrations and malicious property damage. They include George Yogo Obure, National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja Member of parliament Opiyo Wandayi, Malindi Member of Parliament Amina Mnyazi, Kilifi South lawmaker Richard Chonga, Esther Oromi and Sneator Stewart Madzayo.
In addition to their cases being dropped, the senior principal magistrate has ordered that the six have their cash bail refunded.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, who has been representing Azimio supporters in court stated that those who appeared before Kibra and Makadara law courts will also be released.
“The court has accepted to release them and their bonds will be refunded. I thank the courts for being steadfast,” Omari said.
The lawyer added that the accused were not charged legally, and their freedom will bring peace and unity to the country.
The move comes hours after Azimio leader, Raila Odinga demanded the immediate release and dropping of charges of all those who were arrested during the mass action protests.
"William Ruto has issued what I regard as an important statement, we have met and listened to a lot of people, including religious leaders, and they have implored us to give dialogue a chance," he said.
"We acknowledge the olive branch on dialogue, this is a positive development. We agree to a balanced parliamentary proceed co-chaired by both sides, this committee must be done immediately, including all arrests and prosecution related to demos."
The Azimio lawmakers were set free on a Ksh50,000 cash bail on Thursday, March 23 after pleading not guilty to unlawful assembly and damage of property during the Monday, March 20, mass action.
The leaders were among eight Azimio politicians arraigned in court on Thursday, March 23 for participating in the mass action, and had earlier risked serving one year behind bars for participating in the protests.
In particular, the six were accused of participating in the breaking of a vehicle’s mirror, number plate KAZ 969B Voxwagon Passat which is estimated to cost Ksh1.1 million belonging to one Joyce Nyambura. They were also accused of participating in an illegal demonstration.
The six, including, two Members of County Assemblies were released on Monday, March 20, 2023, evening after being arrested during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi, and ordered to appear at Kahawa Law Courts on Thursday, March 23, for formal charges.
Wandayi and Madzayo were arrested at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) as they attempted to protest against President William Ruto's government.
They were met with a heavy security presence that had been deployed in the area and were arrested separately, boarded into police Land Cruisers and taken to a Central Police station. Others leaders who were arrested include MPs Amina Mnyazi and Ken Chonga.
Their arrest sparked outrage among fellow MPs and supporters of the Azimio la Umoja movement. Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina condemned the arrest and said it was a violation of the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Azimio politicians after they were charged with participating in an unlawful assembly of a crowd during the March 20 protests. /TWITTER
