The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji intervened to secure blogger Cyprian Nyakundi's release in a case where he is accused of defamation.
Nyakundi was being held at the Muthaiga Police Station following a decision by the Kiambu Chief Magistrates Court to grant an application for the extension of custodial period.
In a letter to the Senior Assistant DPP at the Kiambu County office of the DPP, Haji directed that no criminal charges be registered against Nyakundi without his express authorization.
Furthermore, Haji agreed with Nyakundi's lawyer Apollo Mboya that his 3-day stay in detention was not in line with constitutional provisions on his alleged offence.
The DPP also directed that Nyakundi's file be placed before the court immediately for the purpose of marking it as closed.
[caption caption="Cyprian Nyakundi"]
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"I have noted that the investigations relate to offence(s) arising from Section 66 of the Penal Code which is misdemeanor and the use of the cyber space which does not necessitate detention period of three (3) days.
"You are hereby directed that the court file in respect to the Miscellaneous Application be immediately placed before the court for the purposes of withdrawing it and marking it as closed.
"Further, no criminal charges should be registered against the above named individual pursuant to the Miscellaneous Application without my express authorization," Haji wrote.
Apollo Mboya took to Twitter to celebrate his client's release.
"Case closed, Guru @C_NyaKundiH is free, I have now closed this file," he wrote.
[caption caption="The letter from the DPP"]
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