Reprieve for MP Mukunji as court dismisses DCI's request for extended detention on terror charges
The judge ruled that the accused should only present themselves to investigators when formally required, not weekly as had been proposed.
A Kahawa Court has dismissed an application by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that sought to detain Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji and two others for 14 more days pending investigations following the July Saba Saba protests.
Principal Magistrate Richard Koech declined the request by the DCI that they needed more time to continue holding Mukunji on terror-related charges.
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He ruled that the accused should only present themselves to investigators when formally required, not weekly as had been proposed.
Magistrate Koech noted that the DCI had not provided sufficient grounds to justify extended detention. The Director of Public Prosecutions, James Mashira, assured the court that investigations were already 70 per cent complete.
Magistrate Koech directed the case to be mentioned on August 26 for plea taking.
On July 10, Mukunji, journalist James Mbochi, and boda boda rider Stanley Mbuthi were released on a cash bail of Sh300,000 each.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had applied to detain them for an additional 14 days to allow completion of investigations, but the court rejected the application and granted them bail.
Since his arrest, MP Mukunji had been held at Muthaiga Police Station while awaiting the court's ruling on the bail application.
The prosecution claimed the three were under investigation for terrorism-related offences, including alleged recruitment and funding of violent groups linked to the protests.
Outside the courtroom, MP Mukunji called for calm and urged the public to respect the judicial process as the matter proceeds.
The case stems from his arrest on July 7 in connection with statements made during the Saba Saba protests, which drew national attention and led to several arrests.
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