Court Frees 50 Youths Arrested During 2024 Finance Bill Protests
A Kenyan court has freed 50 young people who were arrested during protests against the Finance Bill in 2024.
The group was taken into custody on June 24 last year in Ongata Rongai, within Kajiado North Constituency, while taking part in demonstrations led by young Kenyans across the country. The protests had drawn large numbers of people who were unhappy with the proposed bill. After being charged in connection with the events, the youths were released on cash bail while they waited for their case to be heard.
The matter came before Chief Magistrate Charles Kutwa at the Ngong Law Courts. When the case was presented, the prosecution side was unable to bring forward any witnesses to support the charges against the group. Without any evidence from the state, the court had no choice but to drop the case entirely. The magistrate ordered that all the cash bail money paid earlier should be returned to the young people right away.
The decision brought relief to the 50 youths, who had been waiting for months to clear their names. Through their lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, they expressed thanks to the court for what they called a fair outcome. The lawyer noted that the group was now looking forward to putting the experience behind them and getting on with their daily lives and plans for the future.
The ruling comes as a reminder of how important it is for every case to be supported by clear proof before anyone is punished. Many Kenyans followed the 2024 protests closely because they touched on issues that affected young people in particular, such as taxes and the cost of living. With this outcome, the freed youths can now focus on building their futures without the shadow of the court case hanging over them. The matter also highlights the role courts play in protecting the rights of citizens who choose to raise their voices on matters of public concern.
