There was drama at the Thika Law Courts on Wednesday, July 16 after a popular activist was arrested by police officers in the middle of court proceedings.
In footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the activist, who has been vocal in his online criticism against police brutality, was hustled away by several police officers, who did not immediately reveal why he was being apprehended.
The activist, known on X as @Its_Bahaa, was at the Thika Law Courts to show solidarity with several youth who had been charged in connection with the chaos that had been witnessed during the Saba Saba Day protests.
As court proceedings went on, authorities at some point went for the activist, informing him that he needed to come with them. The move was followed by murmurs within the courtroom, as other attendees openly questioned why the activist was being detained.
Moments after the incident, the activist took to social media to confirm his arrest, tweeting, "I have been arrested inside Thika Law Courts, currently being held at Thika Police Station."
Before his arrest, Bahati had been keen to show solidarity with the youth facing charges. On Tuesday, he was present at the Kahawa Law Courts alongside other activists, where eight individuals from Homa Bay County were arraigned.
The eight individuals faced terrorism charges, as they were linked to the torching of Mawego Police Station during the funeral proceedings of the late blogger Albert Ojwang'. After pleading not guilty, they were remanded at the Kamiti Prison.
Meanwhile, another activist, Hanifa, revealed that the youth arraigned at the Thika Law Courts faced robbery with violence charges.
On Tuesday, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, provided an update on the arrests of individuals suspected of committing crimes during three waves of protests between June 17 and July 7, 2025.
According to Mr Murkomen, a total of 1,500 suspects had been arrested by July 15, with 50 under investigation for serious crimes and 71 under anti-terror review.
In recent months, the government has also cracked down on activists, mostly on suspicion of fuelling violence.
Only a week ago, a businessman and Tiktoker was arrested for allegedly posting a TikTok video inciting violence against police officers, only to later be released on a Ksh10,000 police bond.
