The hearing for 19 suspects charged with malicious damage to property and incitement to violence during a nuclear energy public participation forum in Bondo has been postponed.

The suspects appeared before Bondo Resident Magistrate Christabel Maiyo, where they were informed that the matter was adjourned due to the absence of Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, who was designated to preside over the case.

The hearing will now commence on September 15.

According to court records, the incident occurred on July 24, 2026, at Ka John Centre in Central Sakwa.

The 19 suspects, alongside others still at large, are accused of willfully and unlawfully damaging the windscreens of several official and private motor vehicles.

The damaged vehicles included: two Subaru Forester vehicles, Isuzu D-Max, and a Toyota Hilux.

The total value of the damaged vehicles is estimated at over Sh420,000.

In addition to property damage, the suspects face a count of incitement to violence contrary to the Penal Code.

Prosecutution allege that the group publicly displayed placards bearing the message “Wadagi Nuclear” (meaning “We don’t want nuclear”) and exhorted the crowd to stone and chase away attendees at Ka John Centre, an act authorities argue was calculated to provoke violence and target government vehicles.

The 19 accused individuals are currently out on a cash bail of Sh 15,000 each, or an alternative bond of Sh 50,000, terms previously granted by the Bondo court following a revision of their initial charges down from terrorism-related counts to malicious damage and incitement to violence.

The defense and prosecution will now await the new court date in mid-September to officially kick off the trial.