Sonko foots bail bill for 200 arrested in June 25 protests

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Friday paid cash bail for about 200 people arraigned in court following their arrest during the June 25, 2026, demonstrations in Nairobi.

The accused persons had appeared before the Milimani Law Courts, where they denied charges linked to obstruction of motor vehicles and disruption of traffic flow during the protests.

After hearing submissions from lawyers representing the accused and the prosecution, Senior Principal Magistrate Teresa Nyangena ordered that each accused person be released on a cash bail of Sh1,000 pending further proceedings.

“I have allowed cash bail of Sh1,000 each for each accused person. The defence be supplied with witness statements,” Magistrate Nyangena ruled.

Moments after the ruling, Sonko, who was present in court, offered to settle the bail terms for all those arraigned.

The former governor said the decision was intended to enable the accused persons to return home as they await the next stage of the case.

“These are young Kenyans who deserve justice and fair treatment. I have paid the Sh1,000 cash bail for each of them so that they can reunite with their families as they await their day in court,” Sonko said.

The accused persons were represented by a team of lawyers that included Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo.

During the proceedings, Orengo urged the court to release the accused persons on free bond, arguing that the offences before the court were misdemeanours and did not justify continued detention.

“In view of the nature of the offence and the circumstances, releasing all the accused persons on free bond would be reasonable in the circumstances,” Orengo submitted.

According to charge sheets presented in court, the accused persons are alleged to have, on June 25, 2026, at around 9.30 am, along Landhies Road in Nairobi, unlawfully assembled and obstructed the movement of motor vehicles.

The prosecution further alleged that sections of the road were blocked using stones and burning tyres, causing inconvenience to motorists and interfering with traffic flow.

The accused denied the charges.

Court proceedings indicated that the prosecution did not oppose release on bail for a section of those charged.

The court further directed the prosecution to provide witness statements to the defence ahead of the next phase of the case.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on July 2, 2026, for pretrial directions.

Earlier in the day, Sonko also came to the aid of a suspected female protester who had appeared in court while carrying her infant child, offering to provide diapers and other essential items.

“No mother should have to worry about how to care for her child while going through such an ordeal. I was touched by her situation and felt compelled to help,” Sonko said.

Friday’s proceedings followed arrests made after the June 25 demonstrations, which saw heightened security deployment in parts of the country.