Nairobi Court has detained Bishop Margret Wanjiru for five days.
Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi directed her to deposit a cash bail of 500,000 and 2 sureties after five days.
“A situation where there’s a threat of witnesses cannot be wished away. And in these case the prosecution told the court key witnesses runaway during the incident and they are yet to be traced and interest of justice will be well served if the court denies bail” said Magistrate.
He further said that though both offences are misdemeanors threat of violence during elections in Kenya is not something to be wished away.
This morning police sought Bishop Margaret Wanjiri detained in police custody pending hearing and determination of a criminal case.
In an affidavit, Corporal Shadrack Mbila Police want Jubilee Governor aspirant candidate detained pending hearing and determination of her trial.
According to affidavit by Corporal Shadrack Mbila of Directorate of criminal investigation, the Jubilee governor aspirant was accompanied by a crowd of about 50 people who were rowdy and chaotic and stormed city park polling station in Parklands-Nairobi County.
The court heard that due to fear and apprehension the clerks fled from the scene .due to the tension. The court further heard that the said polling clerks are yet to be traced.
“The accused person is an influential member of the society and there is high possibility of the accused to influence and intimidate the potential witnesses who are yet to record statement.
Shadrack said investigations are still being conducted against Margret Wanjiru and others who are not before court, and there is a likelihood that more charges are going to be preferred against her.
“The charge of malicious damage is a very serious offence that attracts a very severe sentence and therefore the accused is at flight risk” said affidavit.
Margaret Wanjiru is accused on 26 of April at city park market (Jubilee polling station ) in Nairobi jointly with others not before court willfully and unlawfully destroyed four ballot boxes and assorted ballot papers valued at Kshs 30,000 the property of Jubilee party.
She is also accused of creating disturbance.
It is alleged that on 26 of April 2017 at city park market in Westlands ,jointly with others not before court, forcefully stormed Jubilee party polling station and disrupted the voting process for the Jubilee party primaries nominations.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
