Tensions flared at Milimani Law Courts on Monday morning after activists were blocked from attending the arraignment of three detained protest organisers linked to the June 25 demonstrations.
In a defiant act of solidarity, some protesters scaled the court’s perimeter fence, shouting slogans and drawing cheers from their counterparts stationed outside.
The crowd had gathered early to support John Mulingwa Nzau, known as Garang; Mark Amiani, alias Generali; and Francis Mwangi, alias Chebukati — all arrested on June 28 while reportedly en route to Mombasa.
Police allege the trio used digital platforms to incite violence and destruction of property during the nationwide protests that rocked Kenya last week.
At around 9 a.m., frustration mounted after court security refused entry to dozens of supporters and civil society members.
The situation quickly escalated, culminating in a daring fence breach. “Today, they tried to lock the court doors to keep us out, but they forgot — Comrades are for Comrades. We will not be silenced,” shouted one protester who made it over the wall.
Adding to the chaos, the suspects failed to appear in court as scheduled. Their lawyer informed the crowd that no judge had been assigned, only for it to later emerge that the arraignment had been quietly shifted to Kibera Law Courts.
The surprise relocation sparked further anger, with many accusing authorities of attempting to sideline public scrutiny.
Photos and videos shared online later showed the crowd reorganising outside Kibera courts, their chants for justice undeterred.
Civil society leaders decried the arrests as a thinly veiled crackdown on legitimate dissent.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations maintains the charges are justified, but rights defenders say the state’s response signals an alarming turn toward repression.
