Three suspects linked to last week’s arson attack on the Kikuyu Law Courts and a raid on the Dagoretti Police Station have been arraigned before the Kiambu Law Courts, as investigations into the violent turn of the recent Gen-Z protests continue.
The suspects Kelvin Gakunyi Nyathira, Serah Wanjiku Thiga, and Moses Tunga appeared before Kiambu Chief Magistrate on Wednesday in a miscellaneous application filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), seeking to detain them for an additional 21 days.
Investigating Officer PC Elias Angila told the court that the suspects are believed to have played a role in the destruction of government property in Kikuyu and Dagoretti, including the theft of firearms and arson of police and judicial facilities.
However, defence lawyers Kibe Mungai and Paul Kiragu Wathuta challenged the prosecution’s request, arguing that the investigating officer had failed to present sufficient evidence linking the suspects to the crimes, and termed the detention request a violation of their constitutional rights.In a partial ruling, the Chief Magistrate ordered that the first suspect, Kelvin Nyathira, be held at Kikuyu Police Station for seven days pending further investigations.
A final ruling on the continued detention of the remaining two suspects is expected on Friday, July 4.In a separate but related case, a youth leader affiliated with the Democratic Consciousness Party (DCP), who was arrested over his alleged role in organizing the protests, was also ordered to remain in custody after a Ruiru court granted the prosecution’s plea.
The arraignment comes amid rising tension between the state and youth-led protestors demanding greater government accountability.
Authorities continue to investigate a string of incidents that saw public infrastructure damaged during the protests.The case will return to court on Friday, where further directions on the suspects’ detention will be issued.
