Eight suspects linked to the torching of Mawego Police Station in Rachuonyo North Sub-County on July 3 have been formally charged with terrorism-related offences.
The suspects—Kennedy Oluoch, Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi, David Otieno, Robert Ouko, Samuel Ouma, and Erick Obunga—had initially been detained under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court.
They were later re-arrested on July 14 following the closure of the miscellaneous application and transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi.
On Tuesday, they were arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, alongside additional charges under the Penal Code.
In a statement posted on X, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that the suspects were facing charges of committing a terrorist act, arson, and malicious damage to property. All eight pleaded not guilty. The prosecution opposed the granting of bond, a move contested by the defence team.
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The accused were reportedly part of a crowd of youth who had gathered to mourn the death of teacher-blogger Albert Ojwang.
In online videos, mourners can be seen carrying his coffin while marching toward Mawego Police Station, where Ojwang had previously been held before being transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi. The situation escalated, and parts of the station were set ablaze. Police officers had reportedly fled the premises as the mob approached.
Trial Magistrate Hon. Richard Koech scheduled the case for mention on July 22, 2025, for a ruling on bond. Meanwhile, the suspects have been remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
– By Anthony Mwangi
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