A Nairobi court today Monday released Ezekiel Kyama Nzyoki, popularly known as “Mr Speaker Sir”, on a personal bond of KSh100,000 after he was charged over the alleged destruction of Parliament property during the anti-government protests of June 25, 2024
Ezekiel Nzyoki faces two charges linked to the storming of Parliament during the nationwide demonstrations. Prosecutors accuse him of unlawfully entering the parliamentary precincts without authority, contrary to the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act.
He also faces a charge of malicious damage to property under the Penal Code. The prosecution alleges that he acted alongside others who have not yet been arrested to destroy Parliament property valued at KSh41.2 million.
According to the charge sheet, the damaged property included sections of the perimeter fence, the mausoleum flag post, office furniture, ICT equipment, television screens, kitchenware, vehicles and electrical installations belonging to the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Ezekiel Nzyoki was arrested last week within the Milimani Law Courts shortly after being released on bail in a separate case.
Representing the accused, Embakasi East MP and lawyer Babu Owino urged the court to grant reasonable bail, noting that the prosecution had not opposed the application.
“Issuing a higher bail renders this trial nugatory and limits the right of the accused person to liberty, which is a miscarriage of justice,” Babu Owino told the court.
He argued that the charges before the court were not capital offences and warned against relying on claims that had yet to be substantiated.
“Whatever is before you does not equate to a capital offence. Do not entertain what we are being served by the prosecution, which is balderdash,” he said.
Babu Owino also maintained that the court was not deciding the case itself but only considering whether his client should remain in custody before trial.
“Today this court is not trying the charges of malicious damage to property or unlawful entry into Parliament. I was there that day during the protests and I did not see the accused person in Parliament,” he submitted.
In delivering the ruling, the trial magistrate said the court had not been provided with a valuation report or supporting documents to justify the alleged KSh41.2 million loss cited by the prosecution.
The magistrate observed that the figure remained an allegation at this stage and could not be used as the basis for imposing an excessive bond.
The court also noted that although the charges refer to other suspects who are yet to be arrested, Mr Nzyoki could not bear responsibility for individuals who are not before the court.
Finding no compelling reasons to deny bail, the magistrate ordered his release on a personal bond of KSh100,000 pending the hearing of the case.
The case is expected to proceed as investigators continue pursuing other suspects linked to the events at Parliament during the June 2024 demonstrations.
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