Eight men suspected to be members of the terror Red-Army gang have been released by a Kiambu Court.
Kiambu Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo ordered the eight be released over lack of substantial evidence linking them to the group.
Nicholas Kamau, Alex Theuri Irungu, John Ndeng, Edwin Mwangi Muiruri, Brian Kamau and John Muiruri were among the eight suspects arraigned in court.
The investigating officer had filed an application in court asking for more time to investigate the matter and wanted the court to detain the suspects.
The eight suspects were arrested on suspicion that they attacked Johnson Mwangi, the owner of Central Bar and restaurant on November 10.
The court heard that the eight attacked Mwangi who suffered serious injuries before they stole goods and cash from him.
Investigating Officer PC James Chege of Kasarani Police Station where the accused were being detained told the court that the eight accused persons were helping the police in their investigations.
Chege told the court that the eight had provided information that led to the arrest of six other suspects suspected to be members of the outlawed group.
The officer in his application said he will seek to consolidate the case of the six who were presented in court early this week, with the case of the eight suspects if given enough time.
Magistrate Atambo, however, declined the officer’s application saying it was wrong for the police to detain the suspects without charging them adding that the investigating officer had ample time to investigate the matter.
“If you come to court and say you need 5 days and you are allowed, there is no reason for you not to have completed your investigation,” ruled the magistrate as quoted by KNA.