Maina Njenga suffered a setback on Monday November 20, 2023, after losing an application bid to stop the criminal trial of charges leveled against him.
Notably, the Nakuru Court dismissed his application bid in which he was seeking to have all the charges dropped.
Njenga and eleven others are facing seven charges for allegedly being members of the outlawed Mungiki sect.
Additionally, the charges include the crimes committed by the outlawed group in Bahati sub-county, Nakuru in May 2023.
Kipkurui Kibellion, the Nakuru Principal Magistrate, dismissed the application tabled by Njenga’s team of lawyers.
He further directed that the hearing, which is slated for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday consecutively, proceed as planned.
The Steve Biko-led team on their defense accused the State of turning some of the co-accused persons into prosecution witnesses.
According to the lawyers, the State did not follow the due process.
“Some of the witness statements supplied to the defense team were recorded by the accused persons,” said Biko.
However, while noting that Njenga’s legal team’s provision lacked enough evidence, Kibellion threw out the application.
Maina Njenga’s Arrest
The former Mungiki leader’s tribulations started in May 2023 when he was arrested from his home and detained before appearing in court.
Also Read: Maina Njenga Renews Beef with Gachagua, Ropes in Kindiki
Notably, 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.
In September Njenga appeared before a Makadara Law Courts judge for a pre-trial in his case.
Furthermore, Maina also wanted today’s trial halted, alleging that the case was similar to the one he was facing before the Makadara Law Court.
Also in September, Njenga was allegedly abducted and released hours after the opposition issued a statement over his alleged abduction.
Njenga’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiru confirmed his release stating, “Client Maina Njenga was finally released by the rogue police hit squad after our press conference”.
Police Blamed for Njenga’s Woes
According to Njiru’s statement, the unknown abductors dumped him in Limuru, Kiambu County on the evening of Sunday, September 17.
Further, he said Njenga was blindfolded and was only informed of his location after arriving in a well-furnished house in Naivasha.
Similarly, in mid-September, Njenga was taken into police custody under unclear circumstances.
According to his lawyer, the arrest was an operation conducted by government operatives.
At the time, Azimio la Umoja alleged that the government was frustrating Njenga ahead of a pre-trial hearing after he was charged in July for planning mass protests.
Witness Collapses During Njenga’s Trial
Nonetheless, drama unfolded in today’s hearing as a witness representing Njenga collapsed moments before testifying.
Also Read: Maina Njenga’s Lawyer Speaks on Brian Mwenda Representing Ex Mungiki Leader
In addition, the witness who is believed to be Njenga’s mother-in-law, had already been handed over a Bible ready to commence with the oath taking when she suddenly fell.
The cause of her collapse was not immediately made clear.
