Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has been released on a cash bail of Sh100,000 in connection with an opposition-led anti-government protests case.
Babu and six others were charged with conspiracy to commit subversive activities on a Sh200,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000 each.
Along with six other individuals, he faced charges of conspiracy to commit subversive activities.
The ruling, delivered on Friday by Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina, highlighted that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to deny bail to the accused.
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The court acknowledged that the prosecution had not established any reason to prevent the accused persons from being released on bail.
Furthermore, the prosecution's inability to identify any specific individual among the accused who could potentially interfere with the ongoing investigations played a role in the court's decision to grant bail.
His legal team promptly filed for his release, arguing that his arrest and detention were unlawful and that the charges against him lacked sufficient evidence.
The court heeded their plea and granted him bail, allowing him to be temporarily freed.
Onyina issued directions for Babu to receive medical attention at a hospital following claims by his lawyers that he had been denied food and proper medical care during his 72-hour detention.
Despite the positive ruling, Babu expressed concerns over potential re-arrest plans.
He claimed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were awaiting his release to apprehend him again.
In a video shot from the Milimani Law Courts holding cells, he stated, "As we speak, DCI officers from headquarters and Nairobi Area are all here in court waiting to re-arrest me. If I leave the police cells within Milimani Law Courts, they are planning to re-arrest me."
During the court proceedings, five other individuals, Calvince Otieno alias Gaucho, Eric Theuri, Tom Odongo, Michael Otieno, Pascal Ouma, Kelvin Wambo, and Willy Owino, were also granted bail or bond due to insufficient evidence presented by the State.
The case has drawn significant attention and, as a result, General Service Unit (GSU) officers were deployed to man the Milimani Law Courts during the hearing.
This led to clashes between Babu's supporters and the security forces, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including journalist Collins.
Babu's arrest occurred on Tuesday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) upon his arrival from Mombasa. Subsequently, he was taken to Wang’uru Police Station in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
After pressure from his family members and lawyers, he was transferred to Nairobi Area Traffic Police Headquarters.
On Thursday, Babu was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and charged with the aforementioned conspiracy.
As the case progresses, the public awaits further developments to see how the situation unfolds and if Babu's concerns about re-arrest will be realized.