Eight charged over protests at Parliament

Kenya: Eight demonstrators accused of taking part in protests outside Parliament were yesterday released on Sh300,000 bond each on charges of engaging in unlawful assembly.

Wilfred Olala, John Koome Kamengo, Dennis Ouma, Francis Sakwa, Gacheke Gachihi, Dennis Okota, Kennedy Mbae and Ersphards Okello appeared before Milimani Resident Magistrate Miriam Mugure and denied the counts of incitement to violence and taking part in unlawful assembly. They denied uttering words “occupy parliament na polisi ni wale wale” words which, according to prosecution, implied they were intending to occupy and disrupt proceedings.

The eight were arrested by riot police after chaos broke out both in and outside the National Assembly where there was heavy police presence on Thursday as Parliament held a special session on the Security laws (amendment) Bill. The case will be mentioned on January 2, 2015 for further directions.

Meanwhile, teachers’ unions have condemned Thursday’s conduct of Members of the National Assembly during the debate on the security laws.

Unions leaders termed last Thursday as a dark day for Kenya and warned such actions by legislators could drive the country into political turmoil. Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion and his Kuppet counterpart Akelo Misori castigated the MPs for failing to be tolerant of each other. Misori said it is simplistic for MPs to execute their business by shouting at each other.