Human rights activist Bob Njagi addressing Journalists outside Chuka Law courts.
Human rights activists led by Bob Njagi on Tuesday appeared at Chuka Law Courts to follow up on the case involving five youths arrested during the March protests in Marima, Tharaka Nithi County, over poor road infrastructure.
Speaking outside the court, Njagi said the youths were exercising their constitutional right to demand better roads and should not be punished for advocating for development in their area.
“Today there was a hearing, but these young people have been denied their constitutional rights. Cash bail and bond are rights that should be accessible to every Kenyan,” he said.
Njagi expressed concern that the youths remain in custody after being denied cash bail and instead being granted a bond of KSh300, 000, which he said was beyond their reach.
“As human rights defenders, we find it shocking that the youths are still in custody. The bond terms imposed have effectively denied them justice,” he added.
He said an appeal had been lodged at the High Court seeking a review of the bond terms and requesting that the youths be granted cash bail to enable them to reunite with their families as the case proceeds.
Njagi further called on fellow activists and well-wishers to support the detained youths, arguing that their continued detention was aimed at intimidating young people from speaking out on issues affecting their communities.
“We appeal to other human rights defenders to come on board and support these young men. What we are witnessing is an attempt to silence and instill fear in young people so that they do not stand up and fight for their rights,” he said.
Another human rights defender, Nkatha Miriti, said residents of Maara Sub-county were unhappy with the continued detention of the youths, maintaining that they were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights.
“The Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to protest peacefully. What is not acceptable is the destruction of other people’s property,” Miriti said.
She added that the role of police officers during demonstrations is to protect protesters and maintain order rather than use excessive force.
“The police should safeguard demonstrators. The use of excessive force, including tear gas canisters and live bullets, is unacceptable,” she said.
