Court Frees KU Student Charged Over Parliament Damage in 2024 Gen Z Protests

A fourth-year Kenyatta University student accused of causing damage to Parliament buildings during the June 2024 Gen Z demonstrations has been released on a personal recognisance bond by the Milimani Law Courts.
Ezekiel Kyama, popularly known as “Mr Speaker Sir,” appeared before the court on Monday where he faced charges of malicious damage to Parliament property. Prosecutors allege that the damage amounted to approximately KSh41 million during the anti-government protests that rocked the country in June 2024.
Embakasi East MP and lawyer Hon. Babu Owino represented Kyama during the court proceedings. The defence urged the court to release the university student, arguing that continued detention would deny him an opportunity to sit his final examinations at Kenyatta University, where he is in his fourth year of study.
After considering the submissions made by both the prosecution and the defence, the court ordered that Kyama be released on a personal recognisance bond, commonly referred to as a free bond, allowing him to remain out of custody as the case proceeds.
The charges stem from the nationwide Gen Z demonstrations of June 2024, which culminated in protesters breaching Parliament buildings during protests against the Finance Bill. The demonstrations left several public and private properties damaged, leading to investigations and the prosecution of a number of suspects.
Kyama’s release has drawn attention from supporters of the Gen Z movement, who view the court’s decision as a positive development. However, the criminal case against him remains active, and he is expected to return to court on dates that will be set as the trial continues