KIRINYAGA, Kenya – A total of 36 youths were arraigned in Kirinyaga County on Friday in connection with the June 25 protests, as the government continues to crack down on demonstrators amid rising criticism from rights groups.
At the Gichugu Law Courts, 11 youths were charged with malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 339(1) of the Penal Code.
The accused — James Nyamu, Cyrus Githinji, Kennedy Wanjohi, Arnold Murimi, Bendan Kamau, Felix Ndichu, Solomon Muchoki, Kelvin Kamau, Bonface (only one name provided), Brian Mutinda, and Joseph Irungu — appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Kemuma Manyura.
According to the prosecution, the group willfully and unlawfully damaged property at the Kutus Police Station at around 5:15 p.m. on June 25.
Damaged items included a perimeter fence, police line windows, and parts of the main station block, collectively valued at Ksh 70,000.
They also faced a second count of vandalizing a private vehicle — a Nissan Vanette (registration KCZ 976N) — belonging to Leah Wairimu Muhari. The total damage to the vehicle was estimated at Ksh 13,000.
All 11 pleaded not guilty and were represented by their lawyer, who also serves as Kirinyaga Woman Representative, Jane Njeri Maina.
They were released on a cash bail of Ksh 10,000 each. The case will be mentioned on July 11, 2025.
Meanwhile, 25 more youths were charged before Resident Magistrate Grace Waithera at the Kerugoya Law Courts with taking part in an unlawful assembly in Kerugoya town on the same day.
The group includes Isaac Mwai, Hillary Kinyua, Hildah Macere, Cynthia Nyakio, Duncan Gichobi, Dennis Kanguro, Derick Maina, Desiderius Riunga, Samuel Mwangi, George Wachira, Lucas Wachira, William Kimani, Brian Mwangi, Moses Kamau, Clement Muriithi, David Muriithi, Kelly Mutua, Kennedy Mwangi, Denis Murimbo, Maxwell Murimi, Evangel Nyakio, Alex Muriithi, Exaviour Juma, Samuel Kimuri, and Bonface Bundi.
One of the accused pleaded guilty and was released on a cash bail of Ksh 3,000.
The remaining 24 denied the charges and were granted bail amounts ranging from Ksh 500 to Ksh 1,000. Their case will be mentioned on July 10, 2025.
The arrests and prosecutions come amid mounting scrutiny over how authorities are handling public dissent, particularly the now-symbolic June 25 protest date.
The protests, driven largely by youth anger over economic inequality and governance issues, have seen growing participation each year.
Last year’s demonstrations on the same date ended in tragedy, with more than 60 people reported dead and dozens injured across major towns.
While the government has defended its actions as necessary for maintaining law and order, human rights organizations have accused the state of criminalizing protest and suppressing free expression.
