Makadara court frees minors arrested during Starehe protests, grants DCI two days to charge adults
The minors were among over 100 individuals arraigned in court, where the DCI sought orders to detain them while investigations into the robberies continued.
A Makadara magistrate has released more than a dozen minors who were arrested for allegedly engaging in robberies and looting businesses in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi, during Monday’s protests.
The minors were among over 100 individuals arraigned in court, where the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought orders to detain them while investigations into the robberies continued.
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However, Senior Resident Magistrate Praxedes Anduke ordered the release of all the minors and granted the DCI permission to proceed with investigations and charge the remaining adult suspects within two days.
The suspects had been arrested in various areas, including Thika Road, Juja Road, Pangani, Mathare, Mlango Kubwa, Huruma, Kariobangi Roundabout, Ruaraka, Kiamaiko, and nearby locations.
The DCI had requested court orders to detain the suspects at Nairobi Area Remand Prison for 10 working days to facilitate investigations.
In an affidavit filed in court, Corporal Makau Maitha of the Starehe DCI offices argued that holding the suspects in police stations posed a security risk to the facilities.
"If detained at the police station, the station might be attacked and the respondents (suspects) rescued, as it has been witnessed in various parts of the country," stated Cpl. Makau.
Makau said investigators needed time to investigate cases of robbery with violence, malicious damage to property and stealing.
The detective said the cases were reported by the public who had been robbed of their property, and others whose property had been damaged.
"Police officers who had been deployed to provide security to peaceful demonstrators mounted an operation and managed to arrest the respondents who were booked in lawful custody in various police stations within the Starehe Sub-County," stated Cpl. Makau said.
"In the meantime, investigations into the circumstances and facts surrounding the robbery incidents and involvement or otherwise of the respondents are incomplete as several key issues are not yet covered."
Outstanding investigative steps include recording statements from the victims and using fingerprint analysis—assisted by the National Registration Bureau—to identify suspects, many of whom lack national identity cards.
The suspects will remain in custody at the respective police stations where they were initially detained upon arrest.
Additional tasks involve retrieving CCTV footage from the crime scenes, conducting identification parades, evaluating the extent of damage allegedly caused by the suspects, and carrying out interrogations.
Corporal Makau warned that releasing the suspects could put them in danger, as they have already been identified by agitated members of the public and may be at risk of mob justice.
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