A Kenyatta University student accused of participating in the June 25, 2024 breach of Parliament during nationwide anti-Finance Bill protests has pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful entry and malicious damage to property valued at more than Sh41 million.
The student, identified as Nzyoki, appeared before Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii Mugo, where he denied all the charges brought against him.
The prosecution alleges that he unlawfully entered the Parliament precincts during the chaotic demonstrations and participated in the destruction of public property as protesters stormed the legislative buildings.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court declined the prosecution's request to detain the accused pending trial.
Magistrate Mugo instead released Nzyoki on a personal bond of Sh100,000, ruling that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient grounds to justify denying him his constitutional right to bail.
In her ruling, the magistrate emphasized that pretrial detention should only be ordered where compelling reasons exist.
She noted that while the charges facing the accused were serious, the prosecution had not demonstrated that he was likely to abscond, interfere with witnesses, or obstruct the course of justice. Consequently, the court found no justification for keeping him in custody as the case proceeds.
Nzyoki's defense was led by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who maintained that the student was innocent of the accusations leveled against him.
Owino questioned the evidence linking his client to the alleged offences and argued that there was no proof placing him inside Parliament during the demonstrations.
According to the legislator, available evidence does not conclusively show that Nzyoki entered the Parliament buildings or took part in the destruction of property.
He urged the court to uphold the presumption of innocence and allow the judicial process to establish the facts of the case.
The charges arise from one of the most dramatic political demonstrations in Kenya's recent history. On June 25, 2024, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets across the country to protest against the controversial Finance Bill, which proposed a series of new taxes and revenue-raising measures.
The demonstrations, largely organized through social media and led by Gen Z activists, attracted widespread public support as many citizens expressed frustration over the rising cost of living and the increasing tax burden.
As protests intensified in Nairobi, crowds overwhelmed security barricades and breached the Parliament compound while lawmakers were debating the Finance Bill.
The unprecedented scenes forced Members of Parliament to flee the chambers as protesters entered sections of the parliamentary buildings. During the unrest, significant damage was caused to infrastructure, furniture, and other government property.
Authorities later estimated that the destruction of property at Parliament exceeded Sh41 million.
Following investigations, several individuals were identified and charged in connection with the incident, with prosecutors alleging that they played different roles in the unlawful entry and vandalism.
The June 25 demonstrations marked a turning point in Kenya's political landscape. Public pressure generated by the nationwide protests ultimately compelled President William Ruto to decline signing the Finance Bill into law, leading to its withdrawal.
The protests also sparked broader national conversations about governance, taxation, accountability, and youth participation in public affairs.
While many protesters described the demonstrations as peaceful expressions of constitutional rights, the events also witnessed violent confrontations between security officers and demonstrators.
Several people lost their lives, many others sustained injuries, and dozens were arrested during and after the protests.
Nzyoki's trial is expected to proceed in the coming months as the prosecution presents evidence intended to link him to the alleged offences.
His defense team has maintained that the charges are unsupported by credible evidence and has expressed confidence that the court process will ultimately clear him of any wrongdoing.
The case is among several high-profile prosecutions stemming from the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, which continue to shape legal, political, and public discourse in Kenya nearly two years after the demonstrations.