Trial date for University of Nairobi students set

Nairobi, Kenya: The trial of 11 students from the University of Nairobi facing robbery with violence charges will begin on December 8 and run for three consecutive days.

The prosecution has lined up 15 witnesses who will testify against students accused of causing disturbance at the Lower Kabete Campus in April.

The 11 students and a licensed gun holder face nine counts varying from robbery with violence, preparing to commit a felony and creating disturbance at their Lower Kabete campus on April 9.

The suspects who were arrested following violent student election campaigns however denied all the charges before Milimani acting Chief Magistrate Daniel Ochenja.

Those charged were Booker Ngesa Omole (the gun owner), Samwel Legira, Job Mandara, Benedict Wandeto, Oliver Kennedy Mureithi, Astagus Rayori, Jacob Opiyo Onono, Benrodger Nganu, Mwach Mazden, Edward Otieno, Langat Kenneth and Edwin Kemoi.

In April, acting Chief Magistrate Daniel Ochenja directed the students to pay Sh50,000 bail or Sh100,000 bond each to secure their release pending trial.

Defence lawyer Gitobu Imanyara pleaded with the court to release the accused on similar bond terms awaiting their trial.

"Since the accused appeared in court in April and was released on bond, they have endeavoured to abide by the conditions imposed by the court. I urge the court to release them on similar bail terms," Imanyara said.