A Nairobi court has acquitted activist Boniface Mwangi and four other individuals who were arrested during a protest on July 25, 2024.
The group, which included Albert Wambugu, Robert Otieno, Pablo Chacha, and Erot Franco, had initially been released on bail of Ksh20,000 each following their court appearance on July 26, 2024.
State prosecutor Judy Koech claimed that the five were apprehended on Koinange Street in Nairobi for causing a disturbance and obstructing traffic. They had reportedly placed a white coffin and seven white crosses on the road to represent individuals who had been killed by police during anti-government protests.
Koech also argued that their social media posts accused the government of engaging in extrajudicial killings, which she said incited public unrest and disturbed the peace.
“The suspects had posted allegations on various social media platforms that the government was out to kill its citizens. These statements were interpreted as claims that the government was carrying out extrajudicial killings,” Koech stated.
During the hearing, Koech requested 21 days for the police to complete their investigations.
However, on Tuesday, Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe denied the prosecution’s request for additional time.
The court ordered the immediate return of the cash bail posted by Mwangi and the other suspects, effectively closing the case against them.
