High Court Releases Senator Omtatah, 22 Others On Bond Between Ksh.1K To Ksh.50K
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and 22 other demonstrators arrested in Nairobi on Monday were released on bond.
The court decreased the bond, which was initially set at Ksh.50,000 with a commensurate surety, to Ksh.1,000 each as a gesture of goodwill for the New Year.
The 23 people were arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District during demonstrations against the growing number of abductions and enforced disappearances of government critics.
They appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi on Tuesday, charged with encouragement to violence and civil disobedience.
During the court, the accused disputed the first bail and requested a smaller amount of Ksh.5,000 each, citing financial difficulties, particularly on New Year’s Eve.
Presidential aspirant Okiya Omtata and his colleagues have been released on a cash bail of 1k each. pic.twitter.com/PCIetMaYrW
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) December 31, 2024
Meanwhile, the prosecution said that the accused represented a threat to national peace and stability by using social media to encourage public disturbance and, if released, would disrupt tranquility.
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The police also wanted to keep the suspects for 14 days to give time for investigations.
Defense attorneys, led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, argued that the accused should be released on free bail.
In its ultimate decision, the court decreased cash bail to Ksh.1,000 per person. In addition, the Law Society of Kenya has promised to cover all 23 accused’s bail as a sign of support.
The judge ordered that their mobile phones remain in police custody until the case is mentioned on January 21.
High Court Releases Senator Omtatah, 22 Others On Bond Between Ksh.1K To Ksh.50K
