An anti-Finance Bill protester accused of unlawfully entering parliament premises and stealing the parliament’s mace during the recent protests has denied the charges.

Stephen Mokogi Nyarenchi, the accused, appeared before Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi on Monday June 1, 2024 and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

He was released on a Ksh2,000 cash bail.

Elsewhere in Eldoret, 15 protesters were arraigned in court over looting and destruction of property during ‘reject Finance Bill’ protests.

The 15 suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan as police sought 21 days to detain them in order to complete the investigation.

Investigations officer Ekiru Kirimoni told the court that the youth were being investigated for crimes including stealing, handling suspected stolen goods and malicious damage to property.

This was after business owners including Kapseret member of parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi filed a case over looting and destruction of business premises during protests.

In Nairobi, Protesters overpowered police officers and stormed the parliament last Tuesday, causing damage, eating food from the canteen, and taking a serjeant-at-arms jacket, as captured in various viral videos.

The ceremonial mace is a beautifully adorned staff composed of wood, metal, or other elements.

Speculation arose last week when a video surfaced showing a protester carrying what appeared to be the mace.

However, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula dismissed the claims, stating that the stolen item was merely a replica.

“Reports that the House mace had been carted away by the demonstrators are false; what was taken away was a dummy mace on display,” Wetangula informed the House.

“I want to assure members of the House that the mace is always highly secured.”