Former Mugiki leader Maina Njenga has been charged with possession of crude weapons after the raid at his Kiserian home.
While appearing at the Makadara Law Courts on Monday, July 24, the court detailed that 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus, and three plows were recovered at his home.
According to the court, the circumstances raised a reasonable presumption that the said offensive weapons were intended to be used in a manner prejudicial to public order.
Meanwhile, his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru told journalists that it was not clear where Njenga was being held before appearing in court and that he had not spoken to him since the arrest last week.
“I am headed to the court at the moment but I do not know where they were holding him before today,” he stated.
The ex-Mungiki leader was picked from his home last week and the government has been mum over where they have been holding him. Njenga was arrested alongside his two brothers and personal assistant.
According to the family, police raided his house at around 8 p.m. and forcefully entered the house dragging Maina and others out.
“This is against human rights. It is bad for police to storm home, and beat people without any reason,” his father complained.
Maina’s father complained that the police assaulted Maina and others without a reason.
“The days of detention without trial are here with us. My client Maina Njenga is still missing. He was abducted by police whose Subarus had a South Sudan registration number. He was never booked in any police station,” Njiru wrote on Sunday, July 23.
Maina Njenga was among the high-profile individuals arrested during the three days of demonstrations by Azimio La Umoja.
Other leaders also arrested include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Mathare MP Antony Oluoch, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, Kilifi County Speaker Teddy Mwambire, and Mabatini MCA Wilfred Odallo among others.
The leaders are considered key to Raila Ondinga’s political mobilisation machinery and were rounded up for fear that the protests would escalate, according to reports.
The opposition has announced another round of protests on Wednesday, July 26, against the rising cost of living and electoral reforms.