Relief For 8 Men Who Destroyed Govt Property, Raided Hospital During Protests
The accused men also faced charges that included malicious injury to property.
Elizabeth Angira 
Eight middle-aged men were on Monday, May 22 released on a bond of Ksh100,000 each or a cash bail of Ksh20,000 following riots in Kisii County.
The men, namely Cleophas Mokua, Charles Nyakundi, Nathan Merongo, Nicholas Anyona, Justus Nyabuto, Josphat Miruka, Kelvin Mandela, and Calen Ososi, were arraigned before Ogembo Law Courts.
They were charged with taking part in a riot at Nduru Level Four Hospital in South Mugirango, Kisii, which is contrary to Section 80 of the Penal Code.
The accused men also faced charges that included malicious injury to property.
An image of Kisii County headquarters. /FILE
They willfully and unlawfully damaged a motor vehicle with the registration number GKB 034Z, a Toyota Hilux double cab owned by the Kisii County Government.
They were also charged with willfully and unlawfully damaging an office door belonging to the Kisii County Government.
Furthermore, the accused persons were charged with assaulting and causing actual bodily harm to two individuals, namely Kelvin Mutonga and Mangesa Peter, resulting in actual bodily harm. The charges for these acts fall under Section 251 of the Penal Code.
Merongo and Miruka were charged with robbery with violence after they were accused of robbing Kelvin Mutonga of a smartphone valued at Ksh55,000.
Additionally, they were charged with robbing Peter Mangesa of a mobile phone valued at Ksh11,000 and cash amounting to Ksh800.
The accused individuals beat up Mangesa immediately before the incident took place. These charges fall under Section 296(2)b of the Penal Code.
During their court appearance, the men pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Biwott.
The case will be mentioned on June 5, 2023, with the hearing scheduled for July 4, 2023.
The men were arrested about a month and a half ago after doctors and nurses who had shut down the hospital and stayed away from their duties resumed work last week.
The resumption of duties followed negotiations between the Kisii County government leadership, national government administrators and medical staff unions and the police, with assurances of stern action against the perpetrators.
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