Proceedings in a high-profile arson case linked to the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests finally got underway at the Kiambu law courts, nearly two years after the charges were first brought against one of the accused, Stephen Kigathi.
Kigathi denied all the charges facing him, including allegations that he participated in the torching of the National Government Constituency Development Fund offices in Kikuyu town during the protests that swept across the country on June 25, 2024.
Kigathi and others are accused of unlawfully setting fire to the NG-CDF offices, causing damage estimated at Sh20 million.
He has also pleaded not guilty to charges of malicious damage to property arising from the alleged burning of a Land Rover vehicle belonging to Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and damage to the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kikuyu.
The hearing marked the first substantive step in a case stemming from the nationwide demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, which culminated in widespread protests across the country.
While the demonstrations were largely driven by young Kenyans opposed to proposed tax measures, some areas witnessed destruction of public and private property as protests escalated into unrest.
Defence lawyer Ndegwa Njiru questioned the timing of the proceedings, arguing that the trial was commencing as the country approaches the anniversary of the Gen Z protests and amid renewed public debate over the proposed Finance Bill for the 2026-2027 financial year.
“We are not intimidated by these proceedings. We shall continue speaking about constitutionalism, democracy and the rights of Kenyans regardless of what is happening in court,” Njiru said outside the courtroom.
The lawyer maintained that the charges against his client were politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.
He further claimed that the prosecution had failed to produce witnesses expected to testify on the alleged arson incidents despite finally opening its case.
Instead, the court heard testimony relating to the alleged theft of a speaker, with the defence insisting it was still waiting to see evidence linking Kigathi to the burning of the NG-CDF offices and the Deputy County Commissioner’s offices in Kikuyu.
Another member of the defence team, Arnold Otieno, welcomed the commencement of the trial, saying it marked the end of prolonged delays that had slowed the progress of the matter.
Otieno said the defence was ready to proceed and expressed confidence that the remaining hearing dates scheduled for September would help determine whether sufficient evidence exists against the accused persons.
He disclosed that prosecutors had significantly reduced the number of witnesses expected to testify in the case.
“Initially, they had indicated they would call 25 witnesses. Now they have reduced that number to five. One has testified today and four are remaining,” Otieno said.
The June 2024 protests were among the most significant demonstrations witnessed in Kenya in recent years, with thousands of young people taking to the streets to oppose tax proposals contained in the Finance Bill.
The protests culminated in demonstrations outside Parliament and other government installations across the country, leading to clashes, arrests and destruction of property in several towns.
Addressing supporters outside the courthouse after the hearing, Kigathi said he was pleased that the case had finally begun after nearly two years of delays but questioned the absence of witnesses expected to testify on the alleged arson.
“No evidence has been presented linking me to these offences. This is political persecution because I belong to the opposition and intend to vie for the Kikuyu parliamentary seat in 2027,” he said.
Kigathi also alleged harassment by state agencies and maintained that the ongoing court case would not deter him from pursuing his political ambitions.
The case is expected to resume from September 22 to 24 when the remaining prosecution witnesses are scheduled to testify as the court continues hearing the matter.
