Activist released on Sh200,000 after denying extortion charges

A Nairobi court has released an activist accused of attempting to extort money from the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on bail.

Francis Awino Onyango appeared before Magistrate Teresa Nyangena, where he denied a charge of attempted extortion by threats.

The prosecution told the court that on January 14, 2026 at the Kenya Wildlife Service offices in Lang’ata Sub-County, Nairobi, Onyango allegedly attempted to extort Sh1.7 million from Prof. Erastus Kanga.

It is alleged that he threatened to file a petition seeking Kanga’s removal from office over alleged violations of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

In an application for bail, the defence argued that the accused is an activist and that the charges arise from his advocacy work, including a petition he had lodged against Prof. Kanga.

Defence counsel told the court they would demonstrate that the charges were intended to arm-twist Onyango into withdrawing the petition, terming the case an abuse of the criminal justice system.

The defence further submitted that Onyango is a family man with a known place of residence, where he was arrested before being taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for processing.

He maintained that he is not a flight risk.

The prosecution did not oppose the release on bail but urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence and its public interest implications when setting bond terms.

In her ruling, Magistrate Nyangena granted Onyango a bond of Sh1 million with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.

The matter will be mentioned on May 7, 2026 for pre trial purposes.