Former Mungiki Leader Maina Njenga Arraigned at Makadara Courts After Days in Custody

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was on Monday, July 24, arraigned in court after being held in police custody for five nights. 

He was arrested on July 20 by police from lower Matasia in Ngong on grounds of allegedly planning anti-government protests against the high cost of living. Njenga was taken to an undisclosed location, but his lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, obtained an order requiring police to produce him in court on July 24. He is one of many leaders detained for days by police over claims of organizing anti-government protests, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Mathare MP Antony Oluoch, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, Kilifi County Speaker Teddy Mwambire, and Mabatini MCA Wilfred Odallo. 

Appearing at the Makadara Law Courts, the prosecution revealed that 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus, and three ploughs were found at the home of the former Mungiki leader. The prosecution argued that the weapons were likely intended to be used in a way that could threaten public order. The ex-Mungiki leader, along with his brothers and personal assistant, was arrested last week. 

“John Maina Njenga, Peter Njoroge Kamunya, Felix Ratu Lakishe: On the 20th day of July 2023 at Kiserian area within Kajiado County jointly organized an unlawful assembly and procession scheduled to take place within Nairobi City County and other parts within the Republic of Kenya,” the prosecutor argued.  
 
The leaders are considered crucial to Raila Ondinga's political mobilization machinery. They were apprehended on grounds that they would escalate the protests. Nationwide demonstrations were organized to condemn the high cost of living and the recent implementation of the Finance Act 2023. Despite the police's crackdown, additional protests are scheduled to occur on Wednesday this week. Meanwhile, the police's severity has since been condemned for claiming the lives of more than 15 people and leaving others injured.