The hearing against former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and 11 others begun late as per the schedule following a protest by the defense team over heavy police presence within the court premises.
Maina Njenga’s lawyer said the heavy presence of police officers deployed at the entrance of the Nakuru Law Courts was unnecessary as it aroused tension.
Further, the lawyer complained that it was wrong for armed policemen to block all the roads leading to Nakuru High Court in a bid to keep citizens away.
Notably, today, November 21 marked the second day of the hearing against the former Mungiki leader.
Maina Njenga’s Lawyers Criticize Police
Njiru noted that the court belongs to all Kenyan citizens, and they should therefore not be blocked from accessing the premises.
“They say justice must not just be done but seen to be done, if members of the public are out, blocked by police officers in combat, who is to see this dispensation of justice,” Njiru said.
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“We do not have clients, the only client here is Maina Njenga because he is known, the other 11 are blocked from accessing court premises,” he added.
Maina Njenga Speaks on Police Backlash
On the other hand, Maina Njenga while addressing the press complained of police harassment, adding that they feared him winning the case.
“You know when they arrested us assuming that we are criminals now we have started proving ourselves innocent they don’t want our people to listen to the wrongs they have done to the country,” Njenga claimed.
Additionally, the Ex Mungiki-leader said the case he is accused of is full of lies.
As such, he called on the government to have the hearing broadcasted so that Kenyans could follow keenly.
“We are asking the government to allow our people to come and listen to this case because it is full of propaganda, full of incites and lies,” said Njenga.
Maina Njenga Arrest and Charges
In addition, Njenga suffered a setback during day one of his hearing on November 20, after the Nakuru Court dismissed his application to have all the charges dropped.
Notably, Njenga and eleven others are facing seven charges for allegedly being members of the outlawed Mungiki sect.
Nakuru Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion directed that the hearing, which is slated for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday consecutively, proceed as planned.
The former Mungiki leaders’ woes begun in May 2023 when he was arrested from his home and detained before appearing in court.
A contingent of police officers also raided his homes in different towns amid the then heightened tension occasioned by the Azimio la Umoja led anti-government protests.
At the time, the state accused Njenga of several offences including possession of weapons which police linked to the anti-government protests.
Likewise, drama culminated at the Nakuru Lawcourts on November 20 during his first hearing when a witness said to be his mother in-law fainted while taking an oath.
According to reports the witness, Hannah Njoki was about to take the oath before testifying when she said that her heart was beating very fast and eventually fainted.
