Kilifi County Speaker Teddy Mwambire and Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga who were charged in relation to participating in Azimio demos will be detained until Monday pending bail ruling.
Mwambire and Chonga who were arrested during Wedenday demos in Mombasa were charged alongside two others who include Patrick Chiro a staff at Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo’s office and Victor Katana who is Chonga’s aide.
The four denied the charge of participating in an unlawful assembly as police claimed that the demonstrations had been banned.
It was alleged that on Wednesday 19 July, the four took part in a procession and chanted anti-government slogans thereby causing members of the public to reasonably fear that they were assembled to commit a breach of peace.
On Friday morning the leaders’ lawyers led by Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta made submissions for their release on bail urging the court to grant them bail.
Omari told court that the arrest and prosecution of the two leaders was political and they were being victimised for being members of Azimio.
“Politics changes daily and we urge the state not to criminalize article 38 and also article 37 of the right to demonstrate” Omari said.
The state did not act in good faith by arresting the two and they are prominent leaders who should be treated with dignity
The prosecution had urged court not to release the four on bail arguing that they will interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Mombasa chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku after hearing submissions from both sides adjourned then matter to 2 pm for bail ruling.
However, at 2 pm Hon Mutuku said the ruling for bail was not ready and the accused should be remanded until Monday 9 am when she will deliver it.
