Disruption as fuel protest suspects face obstruction charge protest at City Court/LEAH MUKANGAIDrama unfolded at the City Court precincts in Nairobi as a group of protesters arrested over demonstrations linked to fuel price hikes were arraigned, turning routine court proceedings into a charged scene of chants, placards, and interruptions.
The incident came in the wake of public protests following the latest fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The accused were presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Rhoda Yator at the City Court on April 22, 2026, facing charges related to obstructing a public street.
According to court documents, the group is accused of willfully obstructing the free passage of Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District on April 21, 2026.
“That on April 21 2026, archives area, along Moi Avenue in Nairobi Central Business District, within Nairobi city county, willfully obstructed the free passage of a public street by gathering in crowds, thereby causing inconvenience to pedestrians and road users,” the charge sheet reads.
The charge sheet states that the accused gathered in crowds, allegedly causing inconvenience to pedestrians and road users, in contravention of the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act, 2021.
However, what should have been a standard arraignment quickly turned dramatic as emotions spilt into the courtroom precincts.
As the suspects were escorted from a police truck into the court compound, they broke into chants of “Viva comrade viva,” drawing attention from onlookers.
Among them was activist Julius Kamau, who appeared to take a leading role in the public display.
He was seen holding a placard bearing the message “Save Kenya now,” while draped in a scarf resembling the Kenyan flag.
His presence and actions appeared to galvanise the group, with chants echoing through the court corridors.
The tension did not end at the entrance.
In a separate video that later circulated, Kamau was seen inside the courtroom precincts still holding his placard, reportedly disrupting ongoing proceedings by chanting messages touching on governance and economic hardship.
The interruption added to the already heightened atmosphere surrounding the case, prompting the magistrate to briefly adjourn the proceedings.
“I will only handle this matter when there is order in court,” the magistrate said.
Despite the courtroom theatrics, Magistrate Yator proceeded with the matter after a brief recess.
Other accused persons named in the charge sheet include Joshua Okayo, Emmanuel Muchui, Michael Ngige, Alphones Opiyo, Brian Mwenda, Dickson Mworia, Emmanuel Yegon, Collins Otieno, and Elisha Ochieng, alongside Kamau.
All denied the charges when they were read out in court.
The prosecution alleges that the group’s actions on Moi Avenue obstructed movement in one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial corridors, disrupting normal activity in the city centre.
They were subsequently released on a cash bail of Sh3,000 each.
The court further directed that the case will be mentioned on May 7, 2026.
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