In courts: Hearing on MP Salasya’s hate speech case to proceed today

The hearing involving Mumias East MP Peter Salasya's hate speech case is set to begin today, before Milimani Magistrate Paul Mutai.

This follows his arrest on May 16 along the Isiolo–Nanyuki highway and subsequent arraignment on charges of hate speech stemming from remarks made on social media.

Salasya had pleaded not guilty and was released on Sh200,000 cash bail (or alternatively a Sh500,000 bond), which was granted during his appearance in court.

The court directed the defence to collect documentary evidence from the prosecution, sign the inventory, and file it in the court record.

"A copy to be prosecuted after it has been executed and avail a copy of the inventory," Magistrate Mutai said.

The court had previously dismissed claims by the defence that Salasya’s rights were violated while in custody, citing the lack of evidence.

It also declined an application to reinstate his firearm, ruling it lacked jurisdiction to grant such relief.

Salasya maintains that his arrest was politically motivated, asserting that men identifying themselves as DCI officers ambushed his convoy, disarmed his security detail, and detained him without appropriate identification.

DCP youth leaders' case

In a separate court, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) youth officials Wanjiku Thiga and Peter Kinyanjui, popularly known as Kawanjiru, are expected back in court today, among other protesters.

This comes following their release on July 16 on Sh50,000 cash bail each from Kahawa Law Courts.

Magistrate Gideon Kiage ruled that they had been held without sufficient grounds and that the prosecution’s charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act did not override the constitutional presumption of innocence.

As a result, the court offered bail alternatives of a Sh200,000 bond with a similar surety, or the Sh50,000 cash bail option.

Thiga and Kawanjiru were among dozens of protesters arrested in connection with the June 25 protests, during which several government buildings, including Kiambu and Kikuyu law courts, were torched.

They initially received bail in Ruiru and Kiambu courts but were rearrested, prompting fresh charges of terrorism approved by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).