KAJIADO, Kenya- Activist Bob Njagi has been arraigned before the Kajiado Law Courts to face a charge of treason following his arrest ahead of the second anniversary of the Gen Z-led protests.
Njagi was presented before the court on Thursday after spending seven days in police custody. Detectives had obtained orders to detain him while they completed investigations into allegations linked to the June 25 memorial protests.
The activist was arrested on June 24 in Kitengela after police accused him of circulating videos on social media allegedly encouraging young people to participate in the commemorative demonstrations. Authorities have maintained that the material formed part of investigations that culminated in the treason charge.
Last week, Senior Principal Magistrate S. Mwangi declined a police application to detain Njagi for 14 days but allowed investigators to hold him for seven days until July 2.
The court also authorised the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct forensic analysis of two mobile phones recovered during his arrest.
Njagi’s arrest came a day before nationwide events marking the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests, which prompted heightened security operations across several parts of the country.
More than 100 other suspects arrested during the police operation in Kajiado were also processed through the courts on various offences, including unlawful assembly.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, have criticised Njagi’s arrest, arguing that organising or mobilising support for a peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution.