Former Mungiki leader John Maina Njenga who is accused of having offensive weapons has been released on a Ksh100,000 cash bail.
In a ruling rendered by Makadara law court chief Magistrate Francis Kyambîa freed Njenga on bail terms after rejecting a plea by the prosecution to have him detained pending hearing and determination of the criminal case.
While freeing Njenga and his brothers Peter Njoroge and Felix Ratuon bond terms, the magistrate stated that there were no compelling reasons advanced by the state to have them detained pending trial.
The magistrate said it was the accused person’s constitutional right to be released on bail pending trial as the prosecution had not proved how the accused would interfere with witnesses.
The ruling came hours after Njenga and his co-accused persons faced several criminal charges including owning dangerous weapons.
“On July 20, 2023, at Kiserian within Kajiado county, without lawful excuse, they had been found in possession of offensive weapons namely 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus and three jembe sticks in circumstances which raised a reasonable presumption that the weapons were intended to be used in prejudicial to public order,” the charge sheet reads in parts.
In the second count, the three were charged that on the same date and place, they were in preparation to commit a felony by having the weapons.
The prosecution further said the accused persons jointly organized an unlawful assembly and procession scheduled to take place within Nairobi City County and other parts of the country.
The prosecution had on Monday opposed the release of Njenga on grounds that there is a likelihood that he may commit more crimes or offences from the record of his character as he was recently charged in a Nakuru court.
“The recovery of offensive weapons from the accused and the Nakuru case is similar to this one, Njenga is a repeat offender. If released Njenga is likely to continue perpetuating similar crimes,” the state prosecutor informed the court.
