Embattled Isiolo Speaker Mohamed Roba at the dock in Mavoko Law courts, Machakos county on August 28, 2025.Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba has been released on bail after spending two nights in police custody following his arrest in Nairobi.
Roba was on Thursday freed on a cash bail of Sh100,000 or an alternative bond of Sh200,000 with a surety of a similar amount by the Mavoko Law Courts in Machakos County.
Mavoko Senior Principal Magistrate Derrick Kuto ordered his release after he pleaded not guilty to two charges.
The magistrate also lifted a warrant of arrest that had earlier been issued against him.
The release followed requests by Roba’s defence team for lenient bail terms and withdrawal of the arrest warrant—requests that the prosecution did not oppose.
“The accused person is released on a bond of Sh200,000 with a surety of a similar amount or cash bail of Sh100,000 with one contact person,” ruled Magistrate Kuto.
The case is scheduled for mention on September 11, 2025, and hearing on October 29, 2025. It will be heard in open court.
The magistrate further directed that Roba’s mobile phone, personal vehicle and laptop, which had been seized during his arrest, be returned to him.
According to the prosecution, the Isiolo County Government is listed as the complainant in the case.
Roba faced two counts according to the charge sheet.
Count one is the unlawful use of a vehicle, contrary to Section 294 of the Penal Code, Cap 63 Laws of Kenya.
"On diverse dates between 18th July 2025 and 19th August 2025 at Syokimau town, in Athi River sub-county of the Machakos county, unlawfully and without colour of right, converted to your use motor vehicles reg. no. 110G 002Q Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TXL and 110G 006A Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL, the property of the county government of Isiolo," the charge sheet read.
The charge sheet stated that count two was the wilfully obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty, contrary to Section 103(1) of the National Police Service Act, Cap 84, Laws of Kenya.
"On the 20th July 2025, at about 1200 noon at Syokimau in Athi River east, of Machakos County, wilfully obstructed No. 237280 C.I. Sheikh Mohammed, a police officer attached to the Government Vehicle Check Unit, mobilized goons and prevented the officer from repossessing a motor vehicle reg. no. 110G 006A Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL, which was unlawfully in your use," read the charge sheet.
The court also declined a defence request to defer plea-taking, ruling that the charge sheet was not defective.
“I have noted the rival sentiments. The accused person faces two charges: unlawful possession of motor vehicles and obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty,” Kuto said.
The magistrate also noted that while a previous High Court order in Isiolo (Case No. E005 of 2025) barred the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Inspector General of Police from arresting Roba in connection with other allegations, it did not extend to the present charges.
“Even if it was, the respondents were only barred from arresting the accused person. They were at liberty to conduct investigations and, if necessary, bring charges. Put differently, the order wasn’t a blanket one,” Kuto said.
He added that claims that Roba had been beaten by arresting officers should be reported to the elevant offices for investigations.
Kuto emphasised that the legality of the charges was properly before the court, saying:
“For now, I’m not persuaded that the charges before this court are illegal.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had earlier approved Roba’s arrest and prosecution through a letter dated August 1, 2025, addressed to the Regional Criminal Investigations Officer in Embu.
The charge sheet lists several police officers among the witnesses, including Salad Boru Kuracha, CI Mohamed Sheikh, SSGT Kitheka, CPL Jason Simiyu, CI David Mwaniki, and PC Bernadette Mbithe.
On Wednesday, Roba had spent his second night in custody after being presented in court but not taking a plea. The defence argued the charge sheet was defective, but the prosecution maintained it was valid. The magistrate then scheduled his ruling for Thursday, when the plea was eventually taken and Roba was released on bail.
