Chuka: Human rights activists, led by Bob Njagi, appeared at Chuka Law Courts to follow up on the case involving five youths arrested during the March protests in Marima, Tharaka Nithi County, over poor road infrastructure. Speaking outside the court, Njagi said the youths were exercising their constitutional right to demand better roads and should not be punished for advocating for development in their area.
According to Kenya News Agency, Njagi expressed concern that the youths remain in custody after being denied cash bail and instead being granted a bond of Sh300,000, which he said was beyond their reach. He highlighted that cash bail and bond are rights that should be accessible to every Kenyan. Njagi found it shocking that the bond terms imposed have effectively denied the youths justice, keeping them in custody unnecessarily.
He further mentioned that an appeal had been lodged at the High Court seeking a review of the bond terms and requesting that the youths be granted cash bail to enable them to re
unite with their families while the case proceeds. Njagi urged fellow activists and well-wishers to support the detained youths, arguing that their continued detention was aimed at intimidating young people from speaking out on issues affecting their communities.
Another human rights defender, Nkatha Miriti, voiced the dissatisfaction of Maara Sub-county residents with the continued detention of the youths, asserting that they were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights. She emphasized that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to protest peacefully, noting that destruction of property is not acceptable but stressing the duty of police officers to protect protesters and maintain order.
Miriti criticized the use of excessive force by police, including tear gas canisters and live bullets, as unacceptable. She called for the police to safeguard demonstrators and ensure their safety during protests, reinforcing the importance of peaceful demonstrations and the protection of citizens’ right
s.
