Mother, Baby Freed as Over 200 Protesters Get Ksh1,000 Bail

A mother and her seven-month-old baby were on Friday freed unconditionally after appearing in court together with more than 200 youths arrested during recent demonstrations, in a case that has renewed debate over how protest-related arrests are being handled.

The intervention was spearheaded by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, and a team of lawyers representing the detainees. The legal team said the court ordered the mother and her infant to be released without conditions, while the more than 200 youths were granted cash bail of Ksh1,000 each.

The lawyers praised the ruling, describing it as a sign of judicial independence and a fair reading of the law. They said the decision underscored the courts’ duty to protect constitutional freedoms and to ensure the justice system is not used to silence political expression.

After the ruling, the legal team reiterated that peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution and cautioned against what they called the criminalization of demonstrations. They said the judiciary had shown that the law should serve to protect citizens, not oppress them.

The matter comes at a time of growing concern over the arrest and prosecution of protesters after recent nationwide demonstrations, with human rights organizations and opposition figures continuing to demand respect for civil liberties and due process