Tutachoma station! Activist charged for police station disturbance
A prominent human rights activist, Evans Musati Manyanya, is currently facing charges of creating a disturbance at a police station in Nairobi after allegedly insulting police officers and threatening to set the station on fire.
Manyanya’s actions were in an attempt to secure the release of a suspect arrested for stealing a motorcycle. The incident took place at the Mukuru kwa Reuben police station in Makadara Sub County on October 14.
Manyanya stands accused of violating Section 95 (1) of the Penal Code, which deals with creating a disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
According to witnesses, Manyanya, accompanied by more than 20 individuals he had allegedly gathered, stormed the police station around 6 pm that fateful evening, demanding the unconditional release of the suspect, whose case was still under investigation.
Also read: Tragic suicide of Belgian national shocks Runda community
The situation quickly escalated as Manyanya, reportedly in a belligerent manner, banged on the station’s doors, insulted the officers on duty, and ominously stated, “kama hamtamuachilia tutachoma station,” which translates to, “If you don’t release him, we’ll burn down the station.”
Police officers at the station attempted to reason with Manyanya, but their efforts fell on deaf ears. He continued to incite the group and urged them to set the police station ablaze, resulting in the officers taking him into custody. Regrettably, the rest of the group managed to escape apprehension.
Manyanya was subsequently placed in the police station’s cells as the authorities launched investigations into the matter.
At a court appearance at the Makadara Law Courts, Manyanya pleaded not guilty to the charges. Senior Principal Magistrate Mary Njagi presided over the bail hearing, ultimately granting Manyanya release on a cash bail of Sh5000.
The case is scheduled for mention on January 29, 2024, with the trial slated to commence on June 3.
Four police officers who were on duty at the Mukuru kwa Reuben police station at the time of the incident are listed as witnesses in the case.
This case is reminiscent of another incident that unfolded just last week at the Drive-in police post in Roysambu Sub County.
In that incident, Erick Ochieng was charged with offensive conduct and assaulting a police officer, Corporal Peter Karanja. Ochieng stands accused of injuring the officer at his duty station inside the police station’s report office on October 8.
Ochieng also denied the charges brought against him and was released on a cash bail of Sh40,000. The case is set for mention on November 28, with the trial scheduled to begin on March 13 of next year.
Also read: Afande kitu gani! Viral video of TikToker taking kanjo officer on ‘road trip’ excites Kenyans