The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has issued an order for the immediate release of the 73 individuals who were apprehended during the Saba saba demonstrations. Consequently, Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina instructed State prosecutor Anderson Gikunda to inform the officer in charge of the court cells about this decision.
Following consultations between lawyers from the Azimio Coalition, namely Otiende Amollo, Dan Maanzo, John Khaminwa, Ndegwa Njiru, and Harun Ndubi, and the prosecution, it was agreed that the suspects should be released without facing any charges.
Under tight security, the 73 protesters were brought to the court premises at 8:45 am and detained in the basement cells of the Milimani Law Courts until 12:45 pm. At that time, the prosecution informed the court that no charges would be pressed against them.
"I have been instructed by my superior that no charges will be filed against the 73 suspects arrested during the Friday protests. The investigating officer has also been notified of this decision," Gikunda informed the magistrate.
Following this announcement, the lawyers demanded that the prosecutor himself proceed to the court cells and ensure the release of the suspects.
On July 8, 2023, police officers at the Central Police station deployed tear gas canisters against former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and the Azimio lawyers who had gone to the station to demand the release of the demonstrators.
Condemning the assault on the former Chief Justice, lawyer Khaminwa criticized the police for displaying barbaric behavior that is unacceptable in the current constitutional era.
The Saba saba demonstrations took place on July 7, 2023, led by Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio. The protests aimed to raise concerns about the high cost of living and increased taxes, among other issues.
