- Their release came after the Director of Public Prosecutions found no charge against them.
- The jubilant activists chanted outside Milimani Law Courts after they release on Wednesday.
Activists who were arrested on Tuesday during the 'Occupy Parliament' protests have been set free. https://shorturl.at/SiRUH
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Activists who were arrested on Tuesday during the 'Occupy Parliament' protests have been set free.
Among them is renowned activist Boniface Mwangi.
Mwangi and a group of about five other protesters were arrested outside Parliament buildings where they had chained themselves to a hand cart.
Among those arrested with him were Mathius Shipeta and Ngatia Kimathi.
They were bundled into a police vehicle and driven to Kamukunji police station where they were locked up.
Their release came after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions found no charge against them.
Assistant DPP Dorcas Rugut told police the charge sheet did not indicate which offence the suspects intended to commit.
"In the alternative, no evidence has been presented to show that when the suspects so assembled, conducted themselves in a manner that caused reasonable fear [or] that a breach of peace had or was likely to occur," she said.
Police wanted Mwangi to be charged with two counts; creating disturbance and taking part in unlawful assembly.
On count one, the DPP said evidence presented showed that the suspects were carrying placards but it was not demonstrated that in their mannerism created a breach of peace.
On count two, he said their was no evidence to show that as a result of the alleged unlawful assembly, theft, loss or destruction of property occured.
"Consequently, the DPP directs that the evidence presented has not met the evidentiary threshold to warrant approval of the proposed charges," Rugut said.
The letter was addressed to Senior Sergent Walter Oyel, the DCI Kamukunji Police Station.
The jubilant activists chanted outside Milimani Law Courts after their release on Wednesday.
“When we lose our fear they lose their power. Forward the struggle, forward! Revolution."
Mwangi was among the organisers of the demos called to oppose the proposed tax measures in the Finance Bill, 2024.
Police released most of the people arrested on Tuesday over the protests.
During his arrest, Mwangi told the arresting officers that they were protesting for them to ensure their lives are better.
The report on the Finance Bill was tabled on Tuesday amidst the protests and debate started on Wednesday.
Chair of the Finance Committee Kimani Kuria told Parliament the Bill seeks to collect around Sh346 billion for the proposed Sh3.9 trillion 2024-25 budget.
"Therefore I urge this House, its Departmental Committees, Oversight Committees and Kenyans to interrogate the expenditure side of this budget," the Molo MP said.