NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26 – Siaya Governor James Orengo has welcomed a court decision ordering the unconditional release of a mother and her seven-month-old baby, while granting more than 200 young people arrested during the June 25 protests cash bail of KSh1,000 each.
In a statement on Friday, Orengo said he joined Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo and a team of lawyers in representing those arrested during the demonstrations.
The governor described the court’s decision as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional rights.
“Justice has spoken,” Orengo said.
“Today, alongside Hon. Babu Owino, LSK President Faith Odhiambo, and a dedicated legal team, we successfully secured the unconditional release of a mother and her seven-month-old baby, alongside a KSh1,000 cash bail for over 200 youths.”
Lawyers representing the protesters had urged the courts to release those arrested, arguing that many had been detained while exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Reports from court proceedings indicated that legal teams sought lenient bail terms for the suspects, many of whom were young people arrested during the nationwide demonstrations.
Orengo praised the judiciary for what he described as its independence, saying the courts had resisted attempts to use the criminal justice system to suppress dissent.
“We commend the courts for upholding fair judgment and firmly refusing to be weaponized by the state to punish political dissent,” he said.
“The judiciary has reminded us that the law must remain a shield for the innocent, not a sword for the current regime’s oppression.”
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions following nationwide protests that led to multiple arrests across the country.
Orengo maintained that peaceful protest is protected under Kenya’s Constitution and warned against criminalising demonstrators.
“Criminalizing protest has no place in our constitutional democracy. We remain vigilant and unbowed,” he said.