Mukurwe-ini Member of Parliament John Philip Gichohi Kaguchia was on Tuesday released on a cash bail of Ksh250,000 after appearing before the Milimani Law Courts to face a charge of offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.
Kaguchia is charged under Section 94(1) of the Penal Code over remarks allegedly made during a political rally at Naromoru Shopping Centre in Kieni East Sub-County, Nyeri County, on August 1, 2026.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that the legislator knowingly uttered words in Kikuyu which, when translated into English, amounted to a threat against persons who would vote for “Kasongo” during the 2027 General Election.
The prosecution contends that the remarks were intended to provoke a breach of the peace.
During the proceedings, defence lawyer Ndegwa Njiru challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that a certificate of interpretation was necessary to establish the meaning of the word “Kasongo.”
“The word ‘Kasongo’ is neither an English nor a Kiswahili word. A certificate of interpretation is required to establish its meaning,” Njiru submitted.
The defence further opposed the allegation that Kaguchia’s remarks amounted to a threat or were capable of causing a breach of the peace, maintaining that the prosecution had not laid a sufficient basis for the charge.
Kaguchia’s legal team also urged the court not to grant the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) audience, arguing that the prosecution had acted in violation of an earlier High Court order directing that the MP be released on a Ksh100,000 cash bail following his arrest.
After hearing the parties, the court admitted the legislator to a Ksh250,000 cash bail pending the determination of an application challenging the decision requiring him to take plea.
The application is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, when Kaguchia’s lawyers are expected to contest the circumstances surrounding the plea-taking process.
The case arises from remarks allegedly made by the MP during a political rally in Nyeri County, which investigators claim were likely to incite a breach of the peace. Kaguchia denies the allegations.
