A Nairobi court has freed activist Francis Owino Onyango on a bond of Ksh1 million with an alternative of Ksh200,000 cash bail with one contact person for attempted extortion by threats.

Owino has been charged with attempting to extort the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) director, Professor Erastus Kanga, Ksh1.7 million, contrary to section 300(1)(a) of the Penal Code.

According to the charge sheet, the activist, with the intent to extort the KWS director, threatened to file a petition against him, targeting his removal from the office.

“On January 14, 2026, at the Kenya Wildlife Service in Lang’ata Sub-County within Nairobi County, with intent to extort Ksh1.7 million from Professor Erastus Kanga, the director general of the Kenya Wildlife Service, with threats of filing a petition of removal from office for alleged violation of chapter six of the constitution,” the charge sheet reads.

Appearing before Milimani Principal Magistrate Theresa Nyangena on Thursday, April 23, 2026, Owino denied the charge, and a plea of not guilty was entered by the court.

His lawyer requested the court to admit the activist to reasonable bail and a bond, arguing that the charge he is facing arises from his activism.

The defence urged the court to grant the accused reasonable bail, and he is not a flight risk since he has a well-known address.

“Your honour, the accused person has a known abode, which is actually the same place where he was arrested and taken to the DCI for processing. Your honour, the accused is not a flight risk,” Owino’s lawyer submitted.

“Your honour, as his advocate, I have taken the liberty to explain to him the repercussions that he faces in the instance that he fails to abide by any written terms that you shall set,” the lawyer added.

The prosecution did not oppose Owino’s release on bail and bond; however, the court heard that the matter has substantial public interest and prayed for strict bail and bond terms.

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