Njaa revolution protest: Activists deny assembling illegally
By Missing Voices
Published on 14th April, 2022
The four human rights defenders arrested for protesting the food hike have denied allegations of assembling illegally and resisting arrest.
They took a plea on April 14, 2022, after Makadara Law Courts Magistrate Stephen Jalang’o ruled the case is triable.
The activists are Minoo Kyaa of Mukuru Community Justice Center, Clinton Ojiambo of the Kasarani Social Justice Centre, Antony Kanyiri and Nahashon Kamau.
Police had, on March 9, 2022, arrested the four along ACK Road Mwiki, Kasarani, while protesting peacefully—and unarmed—to highlight the rising cost of living. They urged the government to intervene, but police responded with teargas and batons.
“The police violently dispersed the team, arresting the four who had been badly brutalized,” said Haki Africa Programs Officer Salima Macharia.
Police released, each on Sh20,000 bond, after interventions from various human rights organizations, Macharia said.
Police first arraigned the four on April 11, 2022. The court freed, each on Sh5,000 cash bail, but the course got delayed for a day because a court accountant was “unavailable” to process the release.
Lawyers John Khaminwa and Lempaa Suyianka, representing the activists, told the court that the two charges were illegal.
Khaminwa argued Constitution provides the right of citizens to protest when they are hungry.
“Article 43 of Kenya’s Constitution on the Social and Economic Rights states: Every person has a right to be free from hunger and to have adequate food of acceptable quality,” he argued.
The case continues May 6, 2022.
