Two individuals, Stephen Mwangi Kamau and Kelvin Wafula Bwire, from Nakuru, have been formally charged in court for allegedly threatening the lives of Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof Njuguna Ndung’u and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
The charges stem from messages sent via personal WhatsApp accounts, wherein Bwire purportedly threatened CS Ndung’u with the message, “Wee Mzee your time is up and you should be dead!”, while Kamau allegedly sent a message to Ichung’wah stating, “l swear if the Bill passes l will plan an accident and you will not survive.”
Appearing before Milimani magistrate Rose Ndubi, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges of sending threatening messages and using derogatory language against Ichung’wah and President William Ruto.
In their defense, their lawyer argued for their release on bond, citing the broader public discontent against the Finance Bill 2024/2025.
Kamau, identified as a chef earning a modest income of Sh6,500 at a Nakuru hotel, emphasized his financial inability to afford a high bond.
Despite the prosecution’s plea for a high bond due to the severity of the threats made against the politicians, Magistrate Ndubi granted each defendant a cash bail of Sh100,000, considering their financial circumstances.
The court proceedings followed a day of civil unrest across Kenya, marked by clashes between protesters and law enforcement over the contentious Finance Bill.
The prosecution highlighted that Kamau’s alleged threat against Ichung’wah had been followed by an arson attack on the CDF office in the latter’s constituency, underscoring the volatile atmosphere surrounding the legislative issue.
Overall, the legal process underscored tensions surrounding the Finance Bill 2024/2025, with the court balancing the seriousness of the charges against the defendants’ personal circumstances in determining bail.
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