Intro:
A Thika High Court judge has significantly lowered the bail amount for 42 individuals arrested during recent protests, bringing relief to families and activists alike. The bail reduction from Ksh.100,000 to Ksh.30,000 each follows a successful legal push led by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and a team of advocates.
Highlights:
- Bail for 42 protest suspects cut from Ksh.100K to Ksh.30K each.
- Legal team included MP Babu Owino and several human rights lawyers.
- Court acknowledged public interest and fairness in review decision.
- Suspects were arrested during nationwide demonstrations.
Main Story:
There was a wave of celebration outside the Thika High Court as news broke that 42 protest suspects would now pay a reduced bail of Ksh.30,000 each a far cry from the original Ksh.100,000. The suspects were arrested during recent demonstrations that swept across the country, drawing both national and international attention.
The bail review was spearheaded by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who teamed up with a legal team to challenge what they termed “excessive and punitive” bail conditions.
MP Owino and his fellow lawyers argued that the original bail terms were not only disproportionate but also discriminatory against young and low-income Kenyans exercising their constitutional right to protest.
The court agreed that the bail amount needed revision, taking into account the socio-economic background of the suspects and the public interest in ensuring access to justice.
The decision has been hailed by activists and civil rights groups who have accused the state of using the judicial system to silence dissent. They say this ruling is a win for fairness and a step toward protecting the democratic right to peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, supporters have called on the government to drop the charges altogether, saying those arrested were only voicing their grievances in line with the Constitution.
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When justice becomes accessible, protest doesn’t have to mean punishment it can be the beginning of real change.
