Four people were charged on September 9, 2026 have been charged with harassing business operators in Nairobi’s River Road area following President William Ruto’s recent directive to lock foreign petty traders out of the country.
Peter Macharia Gatena, Lawrence Ireri Kamau, Josephat Mburu Kamau and Ruannalice Nyambura Ng’ang’a were charged before a Milimani Law Courts magistrate Carolyne Mugo.
The four, who were arrested by DCI detectives on September 8,2011, were accused of demanding property with menaces contrary to Section 302 of the Penal Code, Chapter 63 Laws of Kenya.
Ms Njoroge told the magistrate the suspects visited Teelux Company Limited on September 8,2026, and demanded Sh200,000 menacingly from the Sales Manager Hussein Yusuf.
Mr Yusuf was categorically informed that he would not be allowed to operate from the building housing his business unless he parts with the amount.
Ms Njoroge said the four, together with others yet to be arrested, threatened Mr Hussein that he will know no peace unless he parted with the tens of thousands.
The magistrate heard that the accused promised to pester the sales manager until he paid them Sh200,000.
The four denied the charges and applied to be released on bond, which the prosecutor did not oppose. Each was granted a cash bail Sh20,000.
Their case will be mentioned in two weeks for pre-trial directions.
The prosecution was ordered to supply the accused with witness statements any exhibits to begin preparing their defenses.
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The President has since shelved the executive order for 90 days.
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