A Nairobi court has detained three activists alleged to have played a role in inciting violence and organising looting during the June 25, 2025, Gen-Z protests. The three identified as John Mulingwa Nzau alias Garang, Mark Amiani alias Generali, and Francis Mutunge Mwangi alias Chebukati were presented before the Kibera Law Courts, where the magistrate ordered their remand until July 2, 2025. The court is expected to rule on their bail application on that day.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) made a miscellaneous application seeking to have the trio detained for an additional 21 days to allow time for investigations to be completed. The prosecution argued that the suspects were instrumental in coordinating violent acts, including arson, theft, burglary, and malicious damage to property, during the protests.
According to police investigations, the activists are accused of violating several provisions of the Penal Code, including section 332(a) on arson, section 268 as read with section 275 on theft, section 304 on housebreaking and burglary, and section 339(1) on malicious damage to property. These accusations stem from acts of destruction that took place during the demonstrations, which were originally meant to be peaceful but were later marred by looting and vandalism.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that after realising the extent of public outrage and the damage caused during the protests, the three suspects attempted to flee the city. They allegedly boarded a Mombasa-bound bus in a bid to evade arrest. However, they were intercepted and arrested at Konza City along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
Investigators claim that preliminary findings link the trio to the planning, coordination, and financing of individuals who infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations and engaged in criminal activity. A notebook allegedly found in their possession is said to contain detailed plans, including area maps and lists of individuals suspected to be behind the infiltration efforts. The document is being treated as a critical piece of evidence that may prove their involvement in orchestrating the chaos that unfolded during the protest.
Despite these claims, the defence team has contested the charges and opposed the application for continued detention. Lawyers for the accused argue that the three men were arrested without warrants and have not been formally charged with any crime. They urged the court to release the activists on free bond, maintaining that there is no credible evidence linking them to any illegal activity.
The court will issue a ruling on the bail application on July 2, as investigations continue into the events that turned a peaceful protest into a violent and destructive episode.
