Murang’a County Government Executive Member for Water and Irrigation Paul Macharia was charged with robbery with violence.
The minister was accused of robbing Eston Gathima Ksh13,450 at Kiawambeu Treatment Plant and beat him but denied the charges.
Macharia also faced other charges of assault on the same day when Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and his supporters stormed Kiawambeu treatment plant.
They had gone to the treatment plant to reconnect water which had been switched off after Muwasco employees went on strike when the employees clashed with the county government officials.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Antony Mwichigi, Macharia protested the charges describing them as trumped-up charges accusing the prosecution of using the criminal justice system to settle a civil matter.
His lawyer Ndegwa Mbui urged the court to admit Macharia with reasonable bail and bond terms stating that he was not arrested but availed himself to the police.
Mbui's application was opposed by the complainant lawyer Theophilus Kamwaro who told the court the accused could use his position to interfere with witnesses.
However, the Principal Magistrate downplayed the complainant lawyer’s assertions ruling that bail and bond terms were a constitutional right and the suspect was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Macharia was released with a bond of Ksh500,000 and a surety of the same or a cash bail of Ksh200,000.
The prosecution will be expected to consolidate the case with others who had been charged over the same offence separately.
