The Linda Mwananchi attack case has taken a new turn after a Kisumu court gave a ruling on eight suspects arrested following the July 12 violence at St Stephen’s ACK Cathedral.
On July 27, the court ordered the unconditional release of the suspects linked to the Kisumu church violence after the prosecution failed to prefer charges against them.
Further, Magistrate Vee Agutu ordered that no fresh charges be brought against the suspects in the same matter and that the case file be closed.
Appearing before the court, the suspects of violence were represented by a defense team including Senior Counsel James Orengo, Faith Odhiambo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other lawyers who argued that the detention lacked factual and legal justification.
“Standing in court today for 8 innocent Kenyans whose only “crime” was walking into a house of God with Senator Edwin Sifuna and me,” Senior Counsel Orengo noted.
The defense team argued that the prosecution had failed to produce sufficient evidence to support the allegations against the accused persons.
Also Read: Chaos in Kisumu as Suspected Goons Disrupt Church Service Linked to Linda Mwananchi Leaders
Linda Mwananchi July 12 Kisumu Violence
On July 12, during a Kenya Anglican Men’s Association (KAMA) fundraising event attended by members of the Linda Mwananchi movement, chaos broke out in Kisumu.
According to reports from the National Police Service (NPS), the confrontation left one person dead, several others injured, nine motorcycles torched, and a police vehicle damaged.
Following the chaos and police interventions, eight individuals were subsequently arrested and held in custody pending investigations, and have been released after a court ruling in Kisumu.
The suspects had spent approximately 10 days in custody before appearing before the court on Monday, according to Linda Mwananchi officials.
Also Read: Several Injured After Crash Rocks Linda Mwananchi Convoy in Trans Nzoia
James Orengo Accuses Government of Political Persecution
Siaya Governor James Orengo launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration following the court’s direction.
In a statement dated July 27, James Orengo accused Ruto’s administration of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against government critics through arbitrary arrests.
According to Orengo, the eight suspects were targeted solely because they attended a church service alongside leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Further, he claimed the accused were wrongfully arrested, detained for over two weeks, and threatened with serious criminal allegations that lacked evidence.
“President William Ruto’s regime needs to get the message loud and clear: state-sponsored goonism, arbitrary arrests and the weaponization of the police must end now,” James Orengo stated.
The governor praised the Judiciary for what he termed a courageous and independent decision, arguing that the court had rejected attempts to use legal processes to settle political scores.
He emphasized that the ruling demonstrated the importance of judicial independence in safeguarding constitutional rights.
Additionally, the governor assured the supporters of the Linda Mwananchi movement and urged them not to be intimidated by arrests or threats.
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