Gachagua allies to know on Thursday whether they will plead to terrorism charges
A gavel.
Thirty-seven people, among them two allies of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, will on Thursday know whether they will plead to terror-related charges.
Kahawa Law Court Magistrate Gideon Kiage directed Peter Kinyanjui alias "Kawanjiru", Serah Thiga and 35 other people detained until July 10, when he will decide whether they will be charged under Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The suspects through lawyers led by former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka opposed the charges, terming them defective and unconstitutional.
The 37 suspects were arrested following the June 25 protests to mark one year after the Gen Z demonstrations, over the Finance Bill, 2024.
“Owing to the gravity of the issues raised, the court reserves the ruling on the application to the July 10. In the meantime, the suspects will remain in custody, at the respective police stations, where they being held,” Mr Kiage said.
The suspects were arrested over the June 25 protests and the prosecution said they are behind the destruction of several public premises among them Kikuyu Law Courts and sub-county commissioner’s office.
The prosecution wanted the suspects charged under section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
"Weaponising justice"
They, however, refused to plead to the charge as Mr Musyoka submitted that the government was using the terrorism law to ‘weaponise justice and punish young people’ who were expressing their democratic rights.
“The charges are exaggerated and meant to instill fear in the citizens who dared to question the authority,” said Mr Musyoka.
The prosecution alleged that they vandalized and torched public offices, including the sub‑county education and accountant's offices, Kikuyu chief’s office, the offices of the Registrar of Persons, Registrar of Lands and the Dagoretti Police Post, an offence they allegedly committed on June 25.
The prosecution alleged that the suspects engaged in coordinated and destructive acts meant to instill fear and undermine the authority of the state.
Mr Musyoka said the police had claimed a week earlier that Mr Kinyanjui was being investigated for arson and malicious damage to property.
He submitted that the accusations did not disclose terrorism offences.