It’s a breath of freedom for Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi after the court today released on Ksh. 1 million bond with surety of similar amount or Ksh. 500,000 cash bail.
Kenya’s youngest Member of Parliament was charged in court today with obstruction of a police officer and helping a prisoner to escape.
The 24-year old MP was arrested on Monday and taken to Mikinduri police Station in Meru County for mobilising Probox and motorcycle drivers to oppose the ongoing road safety crackdown popularly known as Michuki rules.
The court yesterday heard that the MP committed the two felonies along the Meru-Mikinduri Road. Mwirigi appeared before Chief Magistrate Stellah Abuya today morning but denied both charges.
The prosecution had opposed his bail on grounds that the MP is a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses who are police officers. His lawyers, Kirimi Mbogo, Ken Muriuki and Peter Khaemba, however said that the MP would be kept away from the witnesses.
His lawyer Kirimi Mbogo added that they would get prohibitory orders to stop police from harassing him.
Mikinduri town Chief Jacob Michuki told the media that the MP was with people who attempted to remove a police roadblock at Kiguchwa market along Mikinduri- Maua road. Officers manning the roadblock were forced to call for reinforcement but the youthful legislator and his entourage fled.
The chief further said that Mr. Mwirigi on Friday accompanied East African Legislative Assembly MP Mpuru Aburi to Mikinduri, where they urged the operators of non-compliant vehicles to return to the roads despite the crackdown.
In the ruling, the Magistrate ordered Mwirigi to stay away from the Meru area for 14 days.
The case will be mentioned on December 6 2018 pending hearing on February 25, 2019.
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