The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the immediate release of the 73 suspects arrested during saba saba demonstrations on July 7, 2023.
The protesters were arrested during the saba saba demonstrations while protesting against the high cost of living and the impugned Finance Act.
As a consequence, Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina directed state prosecutor Anderson Gikunda to proceed to the court cells to communicate the decision to the officer commanding the court cells.
The development came after consultations between Azimio Coalition lawyers Otiende Amollo, Dan Maanzo, John Khaminwa Ndegwa Njiru and Harun Ndubi and the Prosecution to have them freed without preferring any charges.
The 73 protestors were escorted into the court premises under very tight security at 8:45 am and held up in the Milimani Law Courts basement cells until 12:45 when the Prosecution communicated to the court that they will not be charged.
“I have received instructions from my boss that no charges will be preferred against the 73 suspects arrested over picketing on Friday. The same decision has been communicated to the Investigating officer in the matter,” Gikunda told the magistrate.
Immediately after the communique, the lawyers demanded the prosecutor himself proceed to the court cells and ensure the suspects are freed.
On Saturday, officers at the Central Police Station robbed teargas canisters at the former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Azimio lawyers who had gone to the station to demand the release of the suspects.
Mutunga and human rights activists were forced to scamper for safety when police teargassed them.
Addressing the court over the attack on the former Chief Justice, lawyer Khaminwa blasted the police for exhibiting barbaric behaviour which he said was unacceptable in the current constitutional dispensation.
