Kenya: Students of Nairobi Aviation College arrested on Monday after they stormed a media house were on Tuesday ordered to deposit Sh3.1 million to secure their freedom.
The 15 students were among a group that was protesting a story aired on NTV and published in the Daily Nation over fake certificates allegedly issued by their college.
Milimani Resident Magistrate Miriam Mugure directed 14 of the students to deposit Sh200,000 each or alternatively execute a Sh400,000 bond after they pleaded not guilty to three counts.
The students were accused of participating in an unlawful assembly, assaulting Nation Media Group photojournalist Salaton Njau and damaging window glasses worth Sh40,000 belonging to the media house while protesting along Kimathi Street.
One of the students was further charged with being armed and menacingly causing terror to the public. He was ordered to deposit Sh300,000 or execute a bond of Sh500,000 with one surety.
Attempts by their lawyer Mukele Ngacho to secure a free bond hit a snag after the magistrate said the charges were serious.
Grave charges
"While the accused persons are entitled to bond, the court has to also take into consideration the seriousness of the charges they are facing. The court is guided by law in issuance of bond terms," Mugure said.
Mr Ngacho had told the court that the suspects, being students, were not a flight risk and were willing to submit to the court their college identity cards.
"The accused will attend court whenever required and are willing to exonerate themselves that they were not part of the unfortunate events that happened on Monday," Ngacho submitted.
Arguing that the 15 had a right to protest, Ngacho said the students staged a peaceful demonstration against the alleged expose', which allegedly had a court order stopping its transmission.
"The issues at hand are related to a matter before court. There was a High Court order preventing the defendants from airing the alleged story," he said.
He added: "The students were made aware of the court order and they were peacefully protesting against non-compliance of the said order," Ngacho argued.
The case will be mentioned on February 16, awaiting trial on April 1.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join