They did not take pleas after the defence objected. The protesters dressed in ‘Occupy Parliament’ shirts were released on a cash bail of Sh10,000 each.
The defence objected to charges against the protesters, arguing that it infringed on their constitutional rights. They demanded the matter be referred to the High Court for interpretation.
“I will deliver my ruling on 23rd of this month,” said Nairobi Chief Magistrate Kiarie Waweru who declined to listen to lawyer Harun Mr Ndubi who objected to the bail amount that he wanted reduced.
The accused were arrested last week following a protest outside Parliament buildings in Nairobi but were released on a free police bail.
The accused are William Omondi, Jimmy Eddy, Florence Kanyua, Aradhana Ghai, Fredrick Odhiambo, Joseph Kimani, Boniface Mwangi and John Abok.
Others are Daniel Odera, Shamit Patel, Hussein Khalid, Francis Sakwa, Zipporah Gichobi, Gacheke Gachihi, Patrick Kimotho, Muchangi Nyaga and Eric Gitari.
They face three charges of intending to provoke breach of peace by pouring “gallons of bloody substance at the gate of Parliament and releasing a pig with several piglets”.
They were also charged with taking part in a riot contrary to section 78(1) (2) as read with section 80 of the penal code, and of being cruel to animals.
- Business Daily
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