Eight suspects accused of torching Mawego Police Station in Rachuonyo North Sub-County were on Tuesday arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts, where they were formally charged with terrorism-related offences.
The suspects were previously held under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court before being re-arrested on July 14, 2025, following the closure of a miscellaneous application.
They were then transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi for further processing.
At the Kahawa Law Courts, the suspects were charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012 and the Penal Code. The charges included commission of a terrorist act, arson, and malicious damage to property.
Specifically, Count I accused the suspects of committing a terrorist act contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Count II charged them with arson under Section 332 of the Penal Code, while Count III related to malicious damage to property contrary to Section 339 of the Penal Code.
All eight suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution strongly opposed the release of the accused on bond, citing the seriousness of the charges and potential flight risk. This was contested by the defence team, who argued for their clients’ right to bail.
The trial magistrate, Justice Richard Koech, directed that the matter be mentioned on July 22, 2025, for a bond ruling. Until then, the suspects will remain in custody at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
The developments come after the youth were pictured carrying the body of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody, stormed the Mawego Police Station, where he was first booked upon his arrest on June 7, and set it on fire.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, a mammoth crowd was seen running while a few at the front were hoisting up the coffin, which had just landed in Homa Bay from Nairobi.
Videos circulating on social media showed the coffin being carried through the streets, with mourners waving placards and confronting the police post where Ojwang was first held.
Running and singing dirges, the youth marched towards the Mawego Police Station, where he was temporarily held before being transported to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
The situation, however, turned chaotic, with the mourners turning into protesters and setting fire to sections of the police station.
