Court denies bail to man who threatened magistrate

Accused Francis Karanja in court /HANDOUTA man accused of threatening a magistrate through SMS and WhatsApp messages will remain in custody after he was denied bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), senior resident magistrate Irene Thamara ruled that the prosecution had demonstrated compelling reasons to deny Francis Kamau Karanja bail.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged threats had caused the magistrate to fear for her safety, forcing her to abandon her residence and stop using her personal vehicle.

“The court also heard that she occasionally visits her home due to security concerns,” the statement said.

The DPP alleges the accused sent the messages on September 28, 2026, at about 7pm using his mobile phone to a number registered in the magistrate’s name.

The messages, which were allegedly sent through both SMS and WhatsApp, are said to have contained words likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence.

According to the prosecution, the messages accused the magistrate of being biased in a case involving one, Gabriel Saka and warned her to be careful.

The prosecution further alleged that Karanja told the magistrate that he knew where she lived, prompting concerns over her safety.

The magistrate subsequently reported the matter at Kibera police station, leading to Karanja’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The prosecution relied on the alleged impact of the messages on the magistrate’s security in opposing the accused’s release on bond.

It urged the court to consider the Judiciary Bail and Bond Policy Guidelines, particularly provisions on protecting victims, when determining whether Karanja should be released.

The defence, however, asked the court to grant Karanja reasonable and lenient bail terms.

Through his lawyer, he argued that he had been arrested and denied police bail without being informed of the reasons for his arrest.

The court considered the circumstances presented by both parties and found that compelling reasons had been established to justify denying Karanja bond.

The allegations against him have not been proved in court, and he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case will be mentioned on October 14, 2026, for pre-trial directions.