On June 30, 2025, the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court at Ol-Kalau heard a case involving 19 individuals charged with unlawful destruction and riotous behavior during protests in Ol-Kalau town. The applicants, including Paul Irungu Kirubi and others, faced allegations of damaging government property and engaging in violent acts on June 25, 2025.
The central issue revolved around whether the applicants’ actions constituted offenses under Sections 85 and 86 of the Penal Code, which prohibit unlawful destruction and riotous assembly. The prosecution, supported by a sworn affidavit from CPL Richard Limo, detailed how the initially orderly protest escalated. By midday, protesters allegedly instructed businesses to close, causing public panic, and later burned tires and attacked government offices, including the Ol-Kalau Police Station. The violence culminated in the death of one protester, Brian Nung’a, whose body was left at the police station gate, intensifying the chaos.
The prosecution’s affidavit suggests a request to hold the applicants pending further investigation, given the severity of the alleged offenses, including arson and looting of government offices. The court likely considered the balance between public safety and the applicants’ rights to fair treatment, as the affidavit detailed extensive property damage and a fatality during the unrest.
Analyzing the case, the prosecution’s evidence paints a picture of a protest that spiraled into violence, overwhelming police efforts to maintain order. The applicants’ alleged actions—burning government offices, looting property, and attacking the police station—raise significant public order concerns. However, the court must weigh these against constitutional protections, ensuring detention is justified and not arbitrary.
In conclusion, the Ol-Kalau court faced a challenging case balancing public safety with individual rights. The violent turn of the protests, as described, suggests a strong basis for the prosecution’s request to detain the applicants.
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