Okiya Omtatah, 22 other protesters released as court lowers bail to Ksh.1K from Ksh.50K

Initially set at Ksh.50,000 with a similar surety, the bond was reduced to Ksh.1,000 each by the court in a gesture of goodwill for the New Year.

The 23 individuals were arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District during protests against the increasing cases of abductions and enforced disappearances targeting government critics. They were arraigned before Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi on Tuesday, facing charges of incitement to violence and civil disobedience.

During the hearing, the accused opposed the initial bond, requesting a lower amount of Ksh.5,000 each, citing financial difficulties, especially on New Year's Eve. 

Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that the suspects posed a threat to national peace and stability, claiming they used social media to incite public unrest and could disrupt harmony if released.

The police had also sought to detain the suspects for 14 days to allow time to complete investigations.

However, this was strongly opposed by defense counsel, led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, who urged the court to release the accused on free bond.

In its final ruling, the court reduced the cash bail to Ksh.1,000 per person. Additionally, the Law Society of Kenya has pledged to cover the bail for all 23 accused as a show of solidarity.

The court ordered that their mobile phones remain in police custody until the case mention on January 21.