Maina Njenga, the former leader of the Mungiki sect, was arraigned in court on Monday, July 24, 2023, on charges of possession of offensive weapons.
The charges against Njenga stem from his arrest on July 20, 2023, in Kiserian, Kajiado County. Police found him in possession of 14 machetes, 24 Maasai swords, 46 rungus, and three jembes.
Njenga was charged alongside two other men, Peter Njoroge Kamunya and Felix Ratu Lakishe. They are all accused of being in possession of offensive weapons without a reasonable excuse.
The prosecution argued that the weapons found in Njenga’s possession were intended to be used in a manner prejudicial to the public order. They also said that the weapons were found in circumstances that raised a reasonable presumption that they were intended to be used in a crime.
Njenga’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, denied the charges against his client. He said that the weapons were not found in Njenga’s possession, but were instead found in a car that he was traveling in. Njiru also said that the weapons were not offensive weapons, but were instead tools that were used for farming.
The court ordered Njenga and the two other accused persons to be remanded in custody until their next hearing on July 25, 2023.
The arrest of Njenga comes at a time when the country is facing a wave of protests against the government. Njenga is a controversial figure who has been linked to violence in the past. His arrest is likely to raise tensions in the country.
