The opposition blogger pauline Njoroge has triumphed in court, emerging stronger than ever over the charges laid against her by the Kenya Kwanza Gov’t.
The Malindi Court Magistrate released pauline Njoroge without any bail or bond. Free bail. Mention and hearing will be communicated.
While commenting on Pauline Njoroge’s release, Lawyer Donald Kipkorir noted that the charges are politically instigated.
“The charge sheet against Pauline Njoroge is by a politically excited Policeman … No Prosecutor from @ODPP_KE will draft such pre-2010 charges. No sane Magistrate will convict Pauline on the charges. The Watamu Court Magistrate has a duty to quash the charges today & acquit her.” Donald Kipkorir wrote.
“The @paulinenjoroge charge sheets look like charge sheets from 1987. Kenyans and KOT will not allow the country to go back there. @ODPP_KE wacheni aibu ndogo ndogo. SC @ahmednasirlaw, can you whisper this to your folks in that office please?” Mohammed Wehliye said.
Pauline Njoroge was being accused of writing an incitement text on her twitter page.
“The massacre happening in Nyanza is heartbreaking. The images are so painful to see 😭😭😭.
“Men’s organs are being mutilated, other forms of atrocities, crimes against humanity also happening especially in the Nyalenda area. Why would the government persecute its people it’s such a manner. Why would it terrorize its own citizens?” She wrote on her social media page.
She was also accused of disrespecting president William Ruto in her statement.
In its statement, Muslim for Human Rights MUHURI noted:
“The MUHURI rapid response team visited Pauline Njoroge in Malindi Law Court today, where she was presented and charged with cybercrime harassment. Njoroge is a harmless blogger who is exercising her freedom of expression, which is a right guaranteed by the Constitution.
The government should be ready to be criticized and called out when it goes wrong, and it is a violation of the Constitution to arrest and detain someone for exercising their freedom of expression.
In Njoroge’s case, the police presented her in court 3 days after her arrest, which is also a violation of the constitution.
This is not an isolated incident, as the police have been arresting opposition-aligned leaders & supporters & presenting them in court long after the 24-hour constitutional window.
This is a worrying trend that is eroding the gains that have been made in terms of constitutionalism and human rights in Kenya.
The govt must rule according to the law & the police must not kill civilians. Extrajudicial killings are a serious violation of human rights, & the police & the judiciary must work independently of the executive. The Constitution is not just for show, it is a living document.
The government’s targeting of the Luo community in state-sponsored executions and arbitrary arrests is a sad development. The government must stop these violations of the Constitution and human rights. We must all stand up for the Constitution and human rights.
We must demand that the government respect the law & the rights of its citizens.
MUHURI is calling on the government to respect the constitution and the rights of all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliation.”
