Public outrage is growing over the arrest of a youth leader by the anti-terrorism police on Friday just after he was released by a court of law.

The family of Peter Kinyanjui, the Kiambu Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) youth coordinator, spent the whole day yesterday in an unsuccessful search for him.

The Judicial Service Commission condemned the “excessive use of force” by police at the Ruiru Law Courts where Kinyanjui was rearrested.

“The facts indicate that the accused had been released on bond following a court ruling when shortly thereafter, a team of police officers stormed the court premises to re-arrest him. During this action, gunfire was discharged within the court precincts, despite the absence of any security threat or civil disorder,” said the statement signed by JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya. 

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“While the Commission recognises and respects the constitutional mandate of the police to enforce the law and apprehend suspects, the use of firearms in a court environment is excessive, unjustified and an affront to the authority and dignity of the Judiciary.”

The family is now demanding that the government releases their kin from wherever they are holding him since he had lawfully been set free by court.

Kinyanjui’s mother, Beatrice Wanjiru, while fighting back tears, told The Sunday Standard that she was elated that Kinyanjui, commonly referred to as Kawanjiru, was released by the court after several days of incarceration by police.

“We were later greeted by a surprise which we did not expect. Upon release of my son, heavily armed policemen who I have learnt are from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, pounced on Kawanjiru, dragging him to a waiting van in a show of might,” Wanjiru said.

She asked the government to honour court directions and to extend an olive branch to youth who have become a target of this regime.

“My heart is worn out and my body is weak. It has been a sleepless night. The government should listen to youths now and take time to understand what is infuriating them,” she said.

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“I have a big problem with the way they arrested my son. It was completely unnecessary for police to storm my son’s house at night with all manner of cars and guns,” Wanjiru said, adding that the government is not only killing the Gen Zs but it is also killing parents by subjecting them to untold anxiety.

Distraught Catherine Wambui, Kinyanjui’s wife, said the lawyers who have been acting on behalf of her husband spent the whole afternoon and night looking for him to no avail.

“I appeal to the government, or whoever is responsible, to stop handling citizens in this manner. I want to remind the police that they too are parents and that must not escape them,” Wambui said.

Kinyanjui and Wanjiku Thiga were rearrested upon release by courts on cash bail and bond terms.

Their whereabouts remain unknown.