- Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and 23 co-accused were arrested on Monday, December 30, during an anti-kidnapping protest
- State prosecutors are seeking to detain the senator and his co-accused for an additional day to allow further investigation into the case.
- They also want Omtatah's phone and those of his co-accused to be handed over to the Kenya Communications Authority to get their X, Facebook and WhatsApp data.
State prosecutors are looking for Busia senator Okiya Omtatah and 22 others, who were arrested during protest of anti-kidnapping on Monday, December 30, to be detained for a further 14 days.
Source: Twitter
Why do prosecutors want Omtatah to remain in custody?
In their application, as seen by TUKO.co.ke, the prosecutors requested additional time to thoroughly investigate allegations of incitement and disobedience, contrary to Article 96 of the Penal Code.
“Further understand that the request is based on the article that the law mentioned above and supported by the Affidavit sworn by CPL NO.85576 Anthony Kerini, a police officer associated with DCI Nairobi Central,” the statement read in part.
The investigation will also involve sending the phones of the suspects to the Communications Authority of Kenya to provide WhatsApp, Facebook, and X messages, as well as images allegedly used to incite the public.
“The mobile phones of the suspects need to be handed over to the Communications Authority of Kenya to release WhatsApp messages, Facebook, X and pictures that incite the people against the government.”
They are also looking for CCTV footage from nearby Java and Naivas Supermarket to help in their investigation against the accused.
Was there violence during the anti-kidnapping protests?
Chaos had broken out in the Central Business District in Nairobi when the police tried to disperse the protesters who wanted action due to the increase in allegations of police abductions.
The demonstration, organized by youth groups and human rights defenders, was part of a larger nationwide call for protests.
The protests came amid increasing complaints from civil society groups over the spate of disappearances by law enforcement agencies.
In videos circulating online, thick smoke filled the air as tear gas fired into crowds, and gunfire rang out across the city.
Protesters, many with placards, had earlier sat down, singing songs and asking about the whereabouts of the missing people.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
