By Nelson Musungu, Bungoma
Five suspects arrested over the weekend in connection with looting and destruction of property during last week’s anti-government protests in Bungoma were on Monday released on a cash bail of KSh 20,000 each.
Appearing before Bungoma Law Courts Principal Magistrate Josephat W. Gichimu, the suspects were accused of participating in the June 25 demonstrations held nationwide in remembrance of lives lost during last year’s protests against the Finance Bill.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly mobilized youth to vandalize property by offering money and coordinating criminal gangs to infiltrate the initially peaceful protests.
The court heard that the protests led to the destruction of several businesses, including Jadelica Restaurant in Kanduyi, and the vandalism of 15 vehicles—10 privately owned and five belonging to the Bungoma County Government.
The prosecution had requested 14 more days to detain the suspects for further investigations, including recording witness statements and retrieving relevant M-Pesa transaction records.
In his ruling, Magistrate Gichimu said the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to suggest the suspects would interfere with witnesses if released.
“The prosecution has failed to show that the suspects pose a threat to witnesses. The suspects are residents of this community and have strong family ties. They will be available for further scrutiny if needed,” the magistrate stated.
He directed that the suspects be released on a KSh 50,000 bond with a surety or an alternative cash bail of KSh 20,000. They were also ordered to report to the Bungoma DCIO’s office every Monday during the ongoing investigations.
The case will be mentioned on July 14, 2025.
Speaking to the press after the ruling, the suspects’ lawyer Ken Echesa, flanked by his legal team Erick Nakhurenya and Albert Okumu, welcomed the decision, stating that the prosecution’s claims were flimsy and unsubstantiated.
“The prosecution is relying on weak accusations and failed to justify why my clients should be detained. We are prepared to walk this legal journey with them to ensure justice prevails,” said Echesa.
He further urged the government to take seriously the concerns raised by Generation Z and work towards a lasting solution to prevent further loss of lives during protests.
