PH
A Nyeri court has actually released 10 males presumed to be members of banned Mungiki team that had actually been arrested in Kamakwa location along River Chania presumably in a vow taking objective.
Resident magistrate Desderious Orimba approved an application by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to stop the case.
The regional DPP’s aide, Job Kaigai claimed in a letter to the court that the suspects had actually gathered at their good friend’s residence, George Ndirangu, for a goat consuming event.
“The available evidence discloses that the suspects are members of a legally registered self-help group. One of them had a function and invited them to which out of 18 members 10 were able to attend,” said Kaigai.
He told the court that the suspects were arrested at a matatu stage in Nyeri town and not in the alleged venue of the meeting.
The suspects were arrested by an Administration Police officer attached to Kamakwa police post, following a tip off by members of the public who suspected them of being adherents of the illegal group.
“The alleged seven rolls of bhang found in the matatu have not been linked to anyone and no reasons have been given for linking them to the suspects yet the matatu had other passengers.
It is apparent that the available evidence does not disclose any offence not even the offence of unlawful assembly. Without sufficient evidence this will be a trial in futility,” Kaigai noted.
He further blamed the media saying it caused tension among the residents following reports of re-emergence of the outlawed group.
However, while setting the suspects free, the court said police were at liberty to conduct further arrests and investigations into the matter.
The case investigating officer, Onesmus Kyalo Kimeu attached to Criminal Investigations Directorate, had initially sought for detainment of the suspects saying the issue was of national security.
The suspects told police that they were members of Kimathi Self Help Group which engages in making rings, necklaces, shoes and earings for sale.
