Kenyans Fundraising for Release of Arrested Protesters Cautioned

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has dismissed allegations of conducting a fundraiser to bail out those arrested during the recent demonstrations.
In a statement on Saturday morning, the Law Society said it had received reports of individuals purporting to be its members, conning unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of raising funds to bail out protesters.
According to the LSK, the fundraising programme currently being conducted by the said individuals is in no way linked to the organisation, and it has never endorsed such a drive.
Members of the public were therefore urged to be vigilant against such fraudulent schemes and to verify similar appeals before making any contributions.
“LSK has received reports of individuals soliciting funds to raise bail for persons arrested during the recent riots. Please note that the said fundraising drive is not being conducted or endorsed by LSK’s National Office,” read part of the statement.
“We advise members of the public to verify any such appeals before making any contributions. Beware of fraudulent schemes,” the Law Society added.
The warning notice comes at a time when hundreds ofKenyans who participated in the recent protests are still held in various police cells and remand prisons across the country.
While some are yet to be formally charged in a court of law, others have already been charged with various offences, including terrorism, but remain in custody due to their inability to pay the required bond or bail.
Yesterday, July 18, Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina, who also doubles as a lawyer, decried the exorbitant bond and bail terms imposed on the protesters charged before the courts.
Toassist those who could not afford the bond and bail, Njeri went ahead to share a pay bill number for Kenyans of goodwill to contribute on behalf of the detainees.
“There are two young ladies, 21 and 24, whom I ran into at Kahawa law courts last week. They had been admitted to a cash bail of Ksh200,000, and their guardians have been unable to raise the same,” she commented.
“Allow me to thank LSK, led by our President Faith Odhiambo, and every advocate who has taken Gen-Z matters pro bono. Thank you for holding fort,” she added.