In a high-profile case that has drawn national attention, sixteen individuals were on Monday arraigned before the Kahawa Law Courts in connection with a violent attack on Makongeni Police Station in Thika West, Kiambu County. The incident, which took place on June 25, resulted in significant destruction of government property and left several officers injured.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspects face terrorism-related charges under Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012. Those arraigned include Douglas Wambugu Mugeci, Isaack Wandurwa Kagwi, Kelvin Mwangi Nderitu, and 13 others, all accused of orchestrating the attack between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Court documents reveal that the group allegedly damaged infrastructure at the police station, including vehicles and buildings, and assaulted officers on duty. The prosecution also brought forward five counts of malicious damage to property, arson, theft, and an alternative charge of handling stolen property.
Notably, one of the suspects, Isaack Wandurwa Kagwi, was separately charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer—an attack that allegedly led to the permanent loss of vision in the officer’s left eye.
The suspects are accused of damaging eight government vehicles valued at Ksh. 2.4 million and setting fire to a perimeter wall worth Ksh. 500,000. All sixteen pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Koech.
Opposing their release on bond, the prosecution—led by Principal Prosecution Counsels James Machirah and Kennedy Amwayi—argued that the accused pose a grave threat to national security and public safety. They further warned that releasing the suspects could jeopardize ongoing investigations, including the pursuit of additional suspects and witness protection efforts.
“Their release would not only undermine ongoing investigations but also endanger peace-loving citizens and could create a recipe for further unrest,” the prosecution said.
The case continues to unfold as authorities intensify their crackdown on individuals suspected of planning and executing violent acts against law enforcement and public institutions.
