57 dead. 600 were injured during Saba Saba protest
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Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has issued a statement clarifying her role in the ongoing online fundraising campaign.
The initiative is aimed at securing cash bail for Gen-Z protesters detained during recent anti-government demonstrations.
Her response comes hours after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) disowned the fundraising drive, warning the public against fraudulent appeals made in their name.
In a public notice issued Friday, the LSK said it had received reports of individuals soliciting funds for bail, allegedly on behalf of those arrested during the recent riots.
“Please note that the said fundraising drive is not being conducted and or endorsed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) National Office,” the statement read in part, advising the public to verify any appeals before making contributions.
In a swift clarification, Njeri Maina maintained that the ongoing initiative she is part of is legitimate and purely humanitarian, targeting young Kenyans who remain in detention due to lack of resources.
“Hello everyone, in regard to the cash bail for all Gen-Zs held in our maximum security prisons because they come from underprivileged families, we are ONLY raising funds through: CASH BAIL TILL - 6658137 NAME: PHILLIP MURIMI NJUKI. MPESA NUMBER (FOR DIASPORA ONLY) - 0721602385 NAME: PHILLIP MURIMI NJUKI,” Maina stated.
She emphasised that the fundraising is aimed at ensuring justice for vulnerable youth detained after participating in nationwide protests.
The Woman Rep disclosed that she is actively offering pro-bono legal representation to those arrested during the protests and has personally handled over 150 such cases.
“I’m on record for over 150 Gen-Z’s across the counties. Offering pro bono legal services to ensure that Gen-Zs who were arrested over the 25th of June and 7th July protests get much-needed legal representation,” she said.
Maina added that she has been physically present at Kahawa Law Courts almost daily for the past two weeks, often spending full days in court from morning until evening.
“It is a duty, borne out of a commitment to serve and protect the Constitution,” she stated, adding that she is alarmed by the state’s use of anti-terror laws to detain protestors.
“It is a glaring concern that young people are being branded as terrorists in their own country. An even worse atrocity is that the state is applying to hold them for 14, 21, 30 days or an unspecified amount of time in their applications. Notably, those charged under POTA can be held for up to 360 days, which is why it is currently a favorite with the DPP,” she said.
The protests, largely organized by the Gen-Z demographic, have sparked waves of arrests in various parts of the country, leading to calls for legal aid and bail support from rights groups and concerned leaders.
Maina’s clarification is likely to allay fears among supporters following the LSK’s distancing from the initiative.
