The Nairobi City Court has granted freedom to 10 protesters on a cash bail of KSh 3,000 each after they pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing public passage within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The group, which includes several prominent activists frequently seen in court circles, was charged by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act 2021. The ten men identified in the case are Julius Kamau, Joshua Okayo, Emmanuel Muchui, Michael Ngige, Alphones Opiyo, Brian Mwendwa, Dickson Mworia, Emmanuel Yegon, Collins Otieno, and Elisha Ochieng.
The prosecution alleges that on April 21, 2026, the accused gathered near the Kenya National Archives along Moi Avenue, creating a crowd that hindered the movement of both pedestrians and vehicles.
“On April 21, 2026, in the Archives area, along Moi Avenue in the Nairobi Central Business District… they wilfully obstructed the free passage of a public street by gathering in crowds, thereby causing inconvenience to pedestrians and road users,” the charge sheet reads.
Two other young men arrested alongside the group were unable to enter a plea after it was revealed they are minors. Representing the defendants, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) lawyer Ian Mutiso informed the court that the two teenagers were swept up with the ten activists during the protests on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
While appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Rhoda Yator at the City Court on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Mutiso successfully argued that the minors should not be charged in the same manner as the adults. Following the defense’s request, the magistrate directed the two to stand aside while the rest of the group proceeded with their legal formalities.
With the ten adult men formally pleading not guilty to the charge of obstructing public passage, the court has entered their pleas into the record.
Following the pleas, Magistrate Rhoda Yator released the ten men on cash bail. Addressing the situation of the two younger detainees, the court issued a directive to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station to facilitate an age assessment test.
The magistrate ordered that the two be taken to a medical facility to scientifically ascertain their ages before the court determines the appropriate legal path for their cases.
“The accused persons are hereby released on a cash bail of Ksh 3,000 each, and an order is issued to the Central Police OCS to take two alleged minors to a medical facility for age assessment,” Magistrate Yator ruled.
The case for all parties involved is scheduled for mention on May 7, 2026, by which time the age assessment results are expected to be available to guide the next steps of the proceedings.
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