Maina Njenga Freed On Ksh100,000 Cash Bail

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was on Tuesday, July 25 set free on a Ksh100,000 cash bail.

Makadara law court chief Magistrate Francis Kyambîa set free Njenga on bail terms after rejecting a plea by the prosecution to have him detained pending a hearing and determination of the criminal case.

He was also given an option of posting a Ksh200,000 bond.

While freeing Njenga and his brothers Peter Njoroge and Felix Ratuon on bond terms, the magistrate stated that there were no compelling reasons advanced by the state to have them detained pending a trial.

The magistrate argued that it was the accused person's constitutional right to be released on bail pending trial as the prosecution had not proved how the accused would interfere with witnesses.

Njenga was charged at the Makadara Law Courts on Monday, July 24, alongside his co-accused and they faced at least five counts, among them being in possession of offensive weapons, trafficking narcotics, and subversive activities.

The prosecution had detailed that he was alleged to be in possession of offensive weapons that include 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus, and three Jembe sticks.

He was also charged with plans to organise an unlawful assembly and procession scheduled to take place within Nairobi City County and other parts of the country, with the prosecution arguing that the weapons were meant to be used in a manner prejudicial to public order.

“John Maina Njenga, Peter Njoroge Kamunya, Felix Ratu Lakishe: On the 20th day of July 2023 at Kiserian area within Kajiado County jointly organized an unlawful assembly and procession scheduled to take place within Nairobi City County and other parts within the Republic of Kenya,” the prosecutor argued.

Njenga was picked up from his home last week as the government has been silent over where they have been holding him.

He was arrested on Thursday, July 20 alongside his two brothers and his personal assistant.

The family had indicated that he was at his father's house when police in unmarked cards arrived at about 8 pm and arrested him, indicating earlier that they wanted to question him over ongoing anti-government protests in the country organised by Azimio la Umoja.

Njenga was among a list of high-profile individuals arrested during the three days of demonstrations by Azimio. Others included Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Mathare MP Antony Oluoch, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, Kilifi County Speaker Teddy Mwambire, and Mabatini MCA Wilfred Odallo among others.