Lawyers representing Ex-Mungiki leader, Maina Njenga have linked his tribulations with political ambitions.
Narc Kenya leader, Martha Karua who is among the lead defence lawyers in the matter claimed that the case against Njenga was politically motivated with the intent to curtail his political and civil rights
She told Nakuru Principal Magistrate, Kipkurui Kibelyon that charges against her client were meant to curtail his rights to self-expression, association and assembly.
She claimed that the attempted arrests and prosecution were meant to stop Njenga from mobilising his political base like other politicians.
Njenga appeared before the Nakuru court where he was charged with seven counts all linked to belonging to an illegal grouping.
He was charged with being a member of an unauthorised group namely Mungiki, having records relating to the group and addressing an illegal meeting at his home in the Wanyoro area of Bahati Sub-County, Nakuru.
The other charge stated that he attended the said illegal meeting, allowed the meeting to take place at his home and provided his premise for the meeting.
Njenga who has been out on anticipatory bail denied committing all the offences which were allegedly perpetrated on May 11 and May 12.
He was charged together with 11 people who were not in court because they had taken their pleas on May 19.
Earlier in the morning, the prosecution withdrew three other charges that involved being in illegal possession of two firearms, several rounds of ammunition and 90 rolls of bhang.
The prosecutor, Maina Wanga sought to withdraw the second file after the defence lawyers questioned why there were additional related charges in a different file against the same person.
While applying for his release, Karua asked the court to release her client on a free bond because he was not a flight risk.
"Njenga presented himself before the court in Nakuru on Wednesday last week and went to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi the following day on his own volition," she said.
She added that he was a leader and a person of repute who vied for the Laikipia Senatorial seat in the last General election and garnered more than 40,000 votes.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru asked the court to issue orders stopping certain leaders in the government from issuing inflammatory statements against Njenga.
He cited a recent meeting in Thika where Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagwa vilified Maina in a prejudicial manner.
The magistrate declined to issue the orders sought by Njiru say he could not issue blanket orders against unspecified persons.
"I find that there is no evidence to show that such statements were made against the accused person," he said.
Maina was released in a conditional bond of Sh100,000 with an alternative of Sh50,000 cash bail.
He was restrained from making statements relating to the matter in court or contacting prosecution witnesses failure to which the bond would be cancelled.
The matter will be mentioned on June 20 for further directions.
Security was tight within and around the Nakuru Law Courts with lorries full of armed police officers strategically parked along the roads leading to the law courts.
Business in the Central Business District was temporarily disrupted as police officers dispersed Njenga's supports who broke into song and dance after his release.
Some traders hurriedly closed their businesses fearing that the situation could deteriorate into chaos.
Other lawyers who represented Njenga were former Presidential candidate, George Wajackoya, Orlale Cheche and Simon Mburu.
Politicians Jeremiah Kioni, former Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria and former Cabinet Minister Eugene Wamalwa were also in court to stand in solidarity with Njenga.
