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The government's response to the June 25 protests has entered a new phase, marked by an aggressive expansion of arrests and prosecutions. In the latest development, 142 more individuals were arraigned in court, pushing the number of people caught in the post-protest dragnet to alarming levels. From city centers to rural towns, the state appears determined to make an example out of those who took part in what officials have branded as “unauthorized demonstrations.”
These fresh arraignments are part of a sweeping legal operation aimed at breaking the spine of what the government sees as coordinated civil unrest. But critics and legal observers are warning that the justice system is being misused—transformed from an institution of fairness into a tool of political retaliation.
The current wave of court cases has seen groups of suspects herded into overcrowded courtrooms, many without immediate access to legal representation. In several counties, magistrates are reported to be working extended hours to process the influx of protest-related cases.
Despite the large numbers, details about the individual charges remain scant. Many of the accused are reportedly facing vague allegations ranging from unlawful assembly to incitement to violence. The blanket nature of the charges, critics say, suggests the intent is not legal redress—but intimidation.
Kenya’s court system, already burdened by case backlogs, now faces an even heavier load. Defense lawyers are sounding the alarm over rushed hearings and alleged procedural violations. Bail applications are being delayed, documentation is incomplete, and witnesses are often absent. The pressure to expedite these cases may lead to compromised rulings and long-term damage to public trust in the judiciary.
Rights groups are especially concerned about minors and first-time offenders caught up in the sweep. Some were allegedly picked up far from protest scenes, raising fears of arbitrary detention and mistaken identity.
Officials have not shied away from broadcasting the arrests as a warning to would-be protesters. The state’s narrative is simple: participation in mass action—whether peaceful or not—will carry a price. But this messaging has also exposed the government to backlash, with growing calls for restraint, transparency, and adherence to the constitution.
What started as a street-level protest movement now risks turning into a wider human rights crisis. Civil society groups have begun mobilizing legal aid networks and documenting cases of abuse, but the scope of the crackdown makes accountability an uphill battle.
As more suspects are pushed through Kenya’s legal system, one thing is clear—the June 25 protests have triggered not just a political response, but a full-blown judicial storm. Whether justice will prevail, or whether fear will dominate the streets in coming weeks, remains to be seen. But for now, hundreds sit behind bars—many awaiting trial, others awaiting answers.
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