Eight individuals suspected of leading a violent attack on Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County have been charged with terrorism and related offences, following their arraignment at the Kahawa Law Courts in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The suspects,  Kennedy Oluoch Oluoch, Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi Opiyo, David Bill Clinton Otieno, Robert Ouko Abala, Samuel Ouma Odhiambo, and Erick Obunga Osumba, are accused of masterminding the July 3 incident that saw the police station in Rachuonyo North sub-county set ablaze during protests sparked by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.

They had earlier been detained by orders from the Oyugis Law Court before being moved to Nairobi after the conclusion of a miscellaneous application and their subsequent re-arrest on July 14.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the eight were transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters for arraignment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, along with other charges under the Penal Code.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Koech, the suspects faced three counts: “Count I: Commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Count II: Arson, contrary to Section 332 of the Penal Code. Count III: Malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 339 of the Penal Code,” a statement by the DCI read.

All eight pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution, however, opposed the release of the accused on bond, a move strongly contested by the defence team.

The court scheduled the matter for mention and bond ruling on July 22, 2025. In the meantime, the suspects will remain in custody at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

Authorities believe the eight played a central role in organising the assault on the station, which was reportedly carried out with help from other accomplices who are yet to be arrested. The suspects had earlier been presented at the Oyugis Law Courts, where they were described by investigators as “ringleaders behind the coordinated attack.”

The chaos erupted during the funeral procession of Ojwang, who had died in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi after being transferred from Mawego Police Station.

On July 3, as the body was being transported to Kokwanyo village, youths intercepted the hearse, insisting that it be taken to Mawego Police Station, where he was first detained.

Despite attempts by Ojwang’s father to calm the crowd, the procession diverted to the police post, which was later overrun by angry youths who set it on fire. Police officers had vacated the station prior to the incident.

Among the structures torched was the office of the Officer Commanding Station. Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilen condemned the violence and confirmed the extent of the damage to the facility.