Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that two of the party’s youth leaders, James KaWanjiru and Wanjiku Thiga, have been released after being arrested over the June 25 protests.
In a statement issued on July 16, 2025, Gachagua announced that both KaWanjiru and Thiga had been released on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 each. The Kahawa Law Courts ruled that there was no evidence to justify keeping them in custody.
“DCP youth leaders James KaWanjiru and Wanjiku Thiga were released on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 each after the Kahawa Law Courts magistrate ruled that there was no evidence to warrant further detention,” Gachagua said.
He also expressed appreciation to the team of lawyers who represented the two, saying they played a key role in ensuring justice was served.
The arrests of KaWanjiru and Thiga drew public attention and sparked concerns within Gachagua’s political circle. During a burial ceremony for his aunt Gladys Gathoni in Nyeri on July 5, Gachagua accused authorities of targeting young people allied to his party.
He also made a public appeal to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and senior counsel Martha Karua to attend court proceedings in solidarity with the detained youth leaders. Gachagua argued that their presence in court could help bring visibility and fairness to the case.
“So we are saying, Senior Counsel Martha Karua and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, if it will be possible, when those two children are taken to Kahawa court on Monday, please be there because if they see you there, it will help us,” he said at the time.
Wanjiku Thiga had earlier been arraigned at the Kiambu Law Courts and released on a bond of Ksh50,000 and a surety of Ksh200,000. Peter KaWanjiru was released on a free bond by the Ruiru Law Courts but was immediately rearrested under controversial circumstances.
Eyewitnesses reported a dramatic scene at the Ruiru Law Courts on Friday when armed officers stormed the building shortly after KaWanjiru’s release. A video shared online showed officers forcing their way inside and grabbing KaWanjiru, sparking resistance from his supporters.
Gachagua’s party maintains that the rearrests were politically motivated and aimed at intimidating young political activists linked to the DCP.
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