Shock at Thika Law Courts: Activist Arrested Mid-Proceedings for Supporting Saba Saba Protest Suspects

There was dramatic tension and disbelief at the Thika Law Courts on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, after a well-known activist, popularly identified online as @Its_Bahaa, was arrested mid-court session by police officers.  

The arrest unfolded in full view of lawyers, court officials, and observers, leaving murmurs and confusion in its wake. 

@Its_Bahaa, a fierce critic of police brutality and outspoken voice in support of Saba Saba protestors, had appeared at the courthouse in a show of solidarity with youth suspects linked to the recent demonstrations.  

The Saba Saba Day protests had rocked various parts of the country, including Thika and Homa Bay, leading to mass arrests and politically charged charges. 

Footage captured by Kenyans.co.ke shows multiple officers surrounding the activist before swiftly escorting him out of the courtroom without publicly stating the reason for his arrest. 

Shortly after being detained, Bahati confirmed his own arrest via his official X (formerly Twitter) account: 

“I have been arrested inside Thika Law Courts, currently being held at Thika Police Station.” 

Before the arrest, Bahati had been present at both Kahawa Law Courts and Thika Law Courts to support young Kenyans caught up in what many believe to be politically motivated prosecutions. 

On Tuesday, eight young men from Homa Bay County were arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts. They were charged with terrorism-related offenses, linked to the torching of Mawego Police Station during the funeral of the late blogger Albert Ojwang’.  

All eight pleaded not guilty and were remanded at Kamiti Prison pending further hearings. 

Meanwhile, at the Thika Law Courts, several other youth face charges of robbery with violence, according to fellow activist Hanifa, who has been closely following the proceedings. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement on Tuesday, revealed that over 1,500 individuals had been arrested in relation to unrest during three waves of protests between June 17 and July 7, 2025. 

Out of these, 50 suspects are under active investigation for serious crimes, while 71 individuals are undergoing anti-terror reviews. The government insists the crackdowns are part of efforts to restore law and order, but critics view them as a systematic attack on dissent and freedom of expression. 

Just last week, a TikToker and businessman was also arrested for allegedly inciting violence against the police in a viral video. He was later released on a Ksh10,000 bond, adding to the growing list of online activists facing legal threats. 

The arrest of Bahati sends a chilling message to activists across Kenya: even showing support inside a courtroom is now viewed as a threat. It marks an escalation in the government’s efforts to clamp down on digital and street-level activism linked to the ongoing unrest. 

As this unfolds, many are now questioning the boundaries between national security and civil liberties, especially as more youth continue to be arrested and detained under harsh conditions.