NAIROBI — Maina Njenga, the former leader of the outlawed criminal group Mungiki, is set to face a series of criminal charges, including his alleged involvement in an organized criminal group. Documents obtained by Citizen Digital outline the accusations leveled against Njenga, who was recently interrogated by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nairobi.
According to the disclosed documents, Njenga is accused of addressing a gathering in Nakuru County’s Wanyororo area on May 11, 2023, with the purpose of soliciting support for the banned Mungiki group. The charges further accuse Njenga of engaging in criminal activities by orchestrating the said meeting and providing instructions related to Mungiki.
Additionally, Njenga faces charges of possessing government property. It is alleged that he was found in possession of a military backpack strap suspected to have been unlawfully obtained or stolen from the National Police Service.
Following his statement at the DCI Nakuru, Njenga was summoned to appear at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi for further questioning. After spending a significant portion of Thursday under the custody of DCI investigators, Njenga was released on a free bond pending his arraignment on Monday.
Eleven of Njenga’s followers are expected to be charged alongside him, collectively facing 12 counts related to engaging in criminal activities, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of cannabis, and possession of records that may be useful in the preparation of serious crimes.
In a separate incident on Thursday, the police were compelled to deploy tear gas canisters at hundreds of individuals who had gathered in support of Maina Njenga outside the DCI headquarters in Nairobi.
The impending legal proceedings against Njenga and his associates mark a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in Kenya. As the case unfolds, it will shed light on the operations of Mungiki and its alleged involvement in various criminal activities, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to maintaining law and order.