16-year old boy arrested amid Mlolongo protests released, expected to appear in court

Methusellah Kiama, a school-going teenager who went viral after being arrested by the police in the thick of the protests, was released two days later on a free bond - but is expected to appear before a Magistrate at the Mavoko Law Court on July 26.

Videos and photos of Kiama's arrest went viral on social media. In the images, Kiama is seen being roughed up by several police officers who order him to kneel down and take turns interrogating him before putting him in handcuffs.

In yet another YouTube clip shared by digital creator Fred Mwangi, and which has since gone viral, Kiama is seen sitting by the Mlolongo highway, his face looking down as he appears confused and tensed.

Repeatedly, he wipes his entire face as he fearfully looks up at the officers hovering over him. At some point, the officers begin to search his pockets before ordering him to sit down again.

According to his brother, who goes by the handle @tants_arts on X, Kiama was not protesting on the day he was arrested. His brother revealed that the teenager was running errands for their family before being wrongfully arrested and bullied.

"This is my brother. He's 16yrs old. He was arrested yesterday at Mlolongo. He was not protesting he was sent to buy lunch and got arrested as he was going about his business," he wrote. 

"He was bullied by the rogue police officers. He's at Mlolongo Police Station, instead of being at school."

Soon after publicising his younger brother's plight, thousands of Kenyans on X took up the matter with many sharing 'FreeKiama' posters and others planning  a trip to the Mlolongo Police Station to secure his release.

Hours after the uproar, Kiama's brother took to X to reveal that all was well and that the minor was released.

"Kiama has finally been released for now. He has been released on a free bond and will appear before Magistrate at Mavoko Law court tomorrow 26th July," his brother wrote. 

"Thanks to all the people who reposted my tweet and helped in the quick release, waiting for the hearing of his case tomorrow."

However, Kiama's brother has continued to agitate for the unconditional freedom of his kin, wondering why a school-going teenager was expected to appear before a Magistrate, instead of being in school doing his exams.

"Why is the gov't so cruel and unfair to the less privileged? My brother was arrested on Tues for merely existing. He has today been released from station and charged for allegedly "participation in riot", " Kiama's brother ranted.

"Tell me why Kiama has to be in court tomorrow instead of being to school and sit for his End term exam? #FreeKiama!"

In his July 24 address to the nation, President William Ruto ordered that all protesters who were wrongfully arrested during the anti-government protests be released immediately and all charges against them dropped.

"I urge the criminal justice agencies to take effective measures and ensure that people who may have innocently caught up on the wrong side of things and those not implicated in crime be released and charges against them withdrawn," he said.