A cook named Stephen Mwangi Kamau was unable to provide the KSh 100,000 cash bail that the court imposed on Wednesday. Kamau is accused of threatening to assassinate National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa if the 2024 Finance Bill is passed.
Kamau implored Senior Resident Magistrate Rose Ndubi to lower the KSh 50,000 bond sum.
"Your Honor, I am unable to pay KSh 100,000." My pay as a cook at a hotel in Nakuru is KSh 6,500. I am unable to raise that amount unless God works a miracle, Kamau informed the court.
Kamau clarified that his brother had traveled from Nakuru to the courtroom with just KSh 15,000 that the family had saved.
"My spouse and I have two kids. Like many Kenyans, I reject the 2024 Finance Bill because I must utilize the little money I make to sustain my family. We are unable to support ourselves," he said.
The accused also stated that the economic situation is still dire even after President William Ruto retracted the bill. He begged the magistrate to lower the bond to KSh 50,000 in light of his financial hardship.
Kamau is charged on four counts, one of which is that he threatened to kill Kikuyu MP Mr. Ichung'wah if the Finance Bill was approved.
Following the bill's passage by Parliament on Tuesday, demonstrators stormed the premises. Lawmakers disregarded the public's cries and had to escape in order to save their lives.
According to a quote, Mr. Ichung'wah guided the Kenya Kwanza MPs in approving the legislation.
The accused informed the court that there is unrest throughout the nation and pleaded with the courts to step in and defend regular people.
Kamau was placed on remand until Friday, when Magistrate Ndubi will determine whether to lower his bail.
Kamau is accused of using a WhatsApp account that is linked to him under the name "Brand Trevor" to send a menacing message to Mr. Ichung'wah on June 20, 2024.
Kamau reportedly threatened the legislator, "Kimani, I swear if the 2024/2025 Finance Bill passes, I will ensure you are involved in an accident from which you will not survive," according to information provided to the court.