Eight key suspects linked to the July 3, 2025 arson attack on Mawego Police Station in Rachuonyo North Sub-County were on Tuesday arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts to face terrorism-related charges.

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 — had initially been detained under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court.

Following the closure of the initial miscellaneous application, the suspects were re-arrested on July 14, 2025, and transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi for formal arraignment.

At the Kahawa Law Courts, the eight were charged with three counts: Commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), No. 30 of 2012, Arson, contrary to Section 332 of the Penal Code, and malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 339 of the Penal Code.

They all denied the charges.

The prosecution strongly opposed the granting of bond, citing the seriousness of the offenses, while the defence contested the application.

Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Koech scheduled the matter for mention on July 22, 2025, when a ruling on the bond application will be delivered.

For now, the suspects have been remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.