Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was handed reprieve on Monday, November 11, after the criminal case against him was withdrawn.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga was compelled to withdraw the case citing insufficient evidence.
Further, the prosecution was unable to build a strong case against Maina Njenga and 11 others due to a lack of cooperation by 20 out of 28 witnesses.
Njenga faced a spate of charges including seven counts of being a leader and member of the outlawed Mungiki, planning and coordinating criminal activities, and possessing illegal firearms and drugs.
The former Mungiki leader, alongside 11 others including his caretaker, stood accused of planning his criminal activities at Njenga's house in Wanyororo, Nakuru County, on May 12, 2023.
In the build-up to the collapse of the case, Njenga along with his lawyers were in high spirits at a Nakuru court on Monday with the former Mungiki leader even addressing the crowd after the court went on a break until 1:30 pm.
"The case will not continue because witnesses have refused to show up," Njenga told the crowd before the ruling.
"What we are saying is people should stick together. Whoever brought this case forward is stuck because there is no evidence."
Mungiki, which was infamous for organised criminal activity in the country along political lines, was outlawed by the government in the early 2000s, effectively putting any individual affiliated with the sect in line to get prosecuted.
The ODPP's move to withdraw the case will come as a relief for Njenga who was facing a potentially lengthy jail term if he was found guilty of the crimes.
In 2023, his case took a funny turn as Njenga attempted to block prosecution from using a toy pistol as evidence against him. The toy gun was confiscated in his house by officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). after a raid in May 2023.
Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officer Athumani Asmani testified against Njenga in 2023, saying the former Mungiki leader was a conspicuous absentee when his team of 20 officers raided his home.
Faith Kipyegon Makes History Again News Just In
