KISUMU — A Kisumu court has dismissed a criminal case against human rights activist Boniface Akach, ruling there was no evidence to support the obstruction charge brought against him during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests. Delivering the decision on Wednesday, Principal Magistrate Maureen Nyigei ruled that the prosecution failed to present credible evidence linking Akach to any unlawful action during the June 2024 demonstrations. The court concluded that Akach had no case to answer.
Akach was arrested during the nationwide protests opposing the 2024 Finance Bill, which triggered widespread unrest across major towns in Kenya. He was later released on bail pending trial. Speaking after the verdict, Akach welcomed the ruling and said it reaffirmed his faith in the judicial process. He also restated his commitment to advocating for government accountability.
“I thank the court for upholding justice,” Akach said. “This case was never about lawbreaking it was about silencing people who speak up.” Akach also recalled the events of the day he was arrested, accusing police of using excessive force to disperse what he described as peaceful demonstrators.
“I witnessed police brutalizing wananchi,” Akach said. “They used unmarked vehicles, masked faces, and fired tear gas and live bullets. Many were injured. Two of us were detained without cause.” Akach added that during the incident, a police vehicle allegedly rammed through the crowd, destroying motorcycles and leaving young protesters wounded.
His remarks echo concerns raised by rights groups over the past year, calling for independent investigations into how police handled the 2024 protests.
So far, no disciplinary action has been made public regarding law enforcement conduct during those protests.
With the case now closed, Akach said he plans to continue pushing for public participation in governance and protection of civil rights.
The ruling is likely to add pressure on the state to review how charges tied to protest activity are handled, particularly when evidence fails to meet the required legal threshold.
About the Author
