Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia Arraigned Over Inciting Remarks

• Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia was arraigned on Tuesday over alleged inciting remarks made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County.
• Kaguchia's lawyers claim that his rights were violated from the time of his arrest and that the state is attempting to limit freedom of expression by prosecuting him for opposing the government.
• Justice Gregory Mutai granted Kaguchia a bond of Sh500,000 on Tuesday morning in Milimani High Court Human Rights Petition No. E517 of 2026.

The accused is not before this court because of any crime he committed. He is here to demonstrate to the country that it is now a crime to oppose the government.

Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia was arraigned in the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, facing charges of alleged inciting remarks made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County. The courtroom was packed with supporters and lawyers for the legislator, who argued that the charge sheet failed to meet constitutional thresholds. Lead defence counsel Kiragu Wathuta claimed that Kaguchia's rights were violated from the time of his arrest, and that the state was attempting to limit freedom of expression by prosecuting him for opposing the government.

Kaguchia's lawyers alleged that he was arrested without a summons or warrant, and that officers initially indicated he would be taken to Kilimani before driving him to DCI headquarters. The defence claimed that advocates were denied access to their client at the police station, and that orders for Kaguchia's release on police bail of Sh100,000 were refused by officers at Kamukunji Police Station.

In a significant development, Justice Gregory Mutai granted Kaguchia a bond of Sh500,000 on Tuesday morning in Milimani High Court Human Rights Petition No. E517 of 2026. This decision may set a precedent for future bail applications in similar cases, and has been cited by the defence as evidence that the state is attempting to limit freedom of expression by prosecuting Kaguchia for opposing the government.

Lawyers should watch for the precedent set by Justice Gregory Mutai's grant of a Sh500,000 bond to MP John Kaguchia, which may influence future bail applications in similar cases.

Source: Original reporting via The Standard