KU student denies charges of unlawful entry, Sh41 million vandalism at parliament during Gen Z Protests

A fourth-year Kenyatta University student accused of unlawfully entering Parliament Buildings during the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests and causing extensive destruction of government property worth more than Sh41 million has denied the charges before a Nairobi court. Ezekiel Kyama Nzyoki, popularly known as "Mr Speaker Sir", appeared in court where prosecutors accused him of illegally accessing the Parliamentary precincts after allegedly breaching part of the perimeter wall surrounding the complex. The prosecution told the court that once inside the protected premises, Kyama allegedly vandalised several flag posts at the mausoleum of Kenya's founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, before damaging additional government property within Parliament. State counsel informed the court that the destroyed items included information technology equipment, a television screen, kitchenware and other public assets, placing the estimated loss at more than Sh41 million. "The accused unlawfully entered a protected government installation and proceeded to maliciously destroy public property of substantial value," the prosecution submitted. Kyama denied all the charges before Milimani trial Magistrate Caroline Mugo. His defence team, led by Embakasi East MP and advocate Babu Owino alongside lawyer Gordon Ogado, urged the court to release him on favourable bond terms, arguing that he is a university student with limited financial means. "My client is a fourth-year student at Kenyatta University and would not be in a position to comply with excessive bond conditions," Owino told the court. The legislator further stated that although he was present within Parliament during the June 25 demonstrations, he did not see Kyama among those who allegedly entered the buildings. "I was at Parliament on that day, but I did not witness the accused inside the parliamentary buildings," Owino submitted. The defence asked the court to take into account Kyama's educational status and constitutional right to bail as the criminal case proceeds. He was released on a personal bond of Sh100,000. The case will be mentioned after two weeks. The latest charges come only days after Kyama was among more than 200 people arraigned over offences linked to this year's June 25 Gen Z anniversary demonstrations. He was released on cash bail after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko paid bail for several of the accused protesters.