Activist Bob Njagi has been released after the Kajiado Law Court dismissed treason proceedings against him, citing a lack of evidence from investigators to support the case.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, July 2, after the court found that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had failed to present sufficient material to justify the continued prosecution of the activist.
In its decision, the court noted that the investigating officer was unable to indicate when the investigation would be completed or when a report would be submitted to support the intended charges.
Activist Bob Njagi. Photo: Courtesy.
The magistrate also observed that the matter had already been addressed by the High Court, which had granted Njagi bail, and concluded that there was no justification for keeping the case open.
The court subsequently ordered the file closed, effectively bringing the proceedings to an end.
The ruling was welcomed by members of Njagi’s legal team, who described it as a significant victory for the rule of law and due process.
Senior Counsel James Orengo praised the court for upholding judicial independence, arguing that criminal prosecutions should be guided by evidence rather than political considerations.
He also questioned the practice of detaining suspects for several days before presenting them in court without sufficient evidence.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who was part of the defence team, similarly welcomed the decision, saying it reaffirmed the importance of conducting thorough investigations before preferring criminal charges.
He urged investigative agencies to ensure they have adequate evidence before taking suspects to court.
Following his release, Njagi expressed gratitude to his lawyers, family members, and human rights organisations that supported him throughout his detention.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for justice, constitutional rights, and the protection of civil liberties.
Njagi had spent seven days in police custody after his arrest on June 25. He was accused of mobilising young people to participate in activities marking the first anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
According to his lawyer, Levi Munyeri, the activist was arrested at Kitengela Matatu Stage while addressing a group of youths during a security operation that targeted demonstrators commemorating the protests.
The dismissal of the case comes amid continued debate over the handling of arrests linked to the Gen Z anniversary demonstrations, with civil society organisations and rights groups calling for greater respect for constitutional freedoms and due process during law enforcement operations.
