36 youths charged in Kirinyaga County court over June 25th protests

The accused — James Nyamu, Cyrus Githinji, Kennedy Wanjohi, Arnold Murimi, Bendan Kamau, Felix Ndichu, Solomon Muchoki, Kelvin Kamau, Bonface (only one name provided), Brian Mutinda, and Joseph Irungu — appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Kemuma Manyura.

The prosecution alleged that on June 25 at around 5:15 p.m., the accused willfully and unlawfully damaged property belonging to Kutus Police Station. This included the station’s perimeter fence, windows of the main block, and window glasses of police line houses — all valued at Ksh 70,000.

In a second count, the accused were charged with damaging a private vehicle — a Nissan Vanette (registration KCZ 976N) — owned by Leah Wairimu Muhari. The damages included a windscreen (Ksh 7,500), door glass (Ksh 3,000), and side mirror (Ksh 2,500), totaling Ksh 13,000.

All 11 pleaded not guilty and were represented by their lawyer, who also serves as Kirinyaga Woman Representative, Hon. Jane Njeri Maina. They were released on a cash bail of Ksh 10,000 each, with the case set for mention on July 11, 2025.

Meanwhile, 25 additional youths were charged at the Kerugoya Law Courts before Resident Magistrate Grace Waithera. They were accused of participating in an unlawful assembly during protests that took place in Kerugoya town on the same day.

The accused — among them Isaac Mwai, Hillary Kinyua, Hildah Macere, Cynthia Nyakio, Duncan Gichobi, Dennis Kanguro, Derick Maina, Desiderius Riunga, Samuel Mwangi, George Wachira, Lucas Wachira, William Kimani, Brian Mwangi, Moses Kamau, Clement Muriithi, David Muriithi, Kelly Mutua, Kennedy Mwangi, Denis Murimbo, Maxwell Murimi, Evangel Nyakio, Alex Muriithi, Exaviour Juma, Samuel Kimuri, and Bonface Bundi — were charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly in Kerugoya town around 5:47 p.m.

While 24 of them pleaded not guilty, one admitted to participating in the protest. He was released on a cash bail of Ksh 3,000. The rest were granted bail ranging from Ksh 500 to Ksh 1,000. Their case will be mentioned on July 10, 2025.

The arrests in Kutus and Kerugoya bring renewed attention to the government’s crackdown on public demonstrations, particularly those held on June 25 — a date that has come to symbolize national protest movements. Last year’s protests on the same day left over 60 people dead in widespread chaos that engulfed several major towns and cities.

Authorities have vowed to maintain law and order, but rights groups have raised concerns over what they term as growing criminalization of dissent.