Presidential hopeful and Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya narrowly escaped an alleged arrest at a Mombasa hotel after residents confronted the said police officers.
According to videos and pictures seen by Kenyans.co.ke, several men wearing plain clothes and masks are seen at the hotel where the MP was residing.
The men, who said they were police officers, could not provide any identification, according to Salasya. Their vehicle had no number plates, raising suspicions over their attempt to apprehend the legislator.
Videos that circulated online, taken by Salasya's supporters, showed armed men, some masked and some wearing police officers' uniforms, being confronted by residents after they tried to apprehend the lawmaker.
The supporters, who escorted the armed men to their car with no plates, could be heard shouting, "You cannot arrest Salasya," one supporter said repeatedly, "A gun will not silence us," another one said.
It remains unclear why the armed individuals, who did not provide any form of identification details or an arrest warrant, wanted to apprehend the MP.
Through his social media account, on Saturday, May 10, Salasya termed it 'unconstitutional, reckless, shameful and cowardly' to arrest a Member of Parliament without the necessary documentation, such as an arrest warrant.
"I want to categorically condemn the reckless, shameful, and cowardly attempt by unidentified individuals purporting to be police officers who stormed my hotel residence in Mombasa earlier today to unlawfully arrest me," he stated.
"Let it be clear, this was not an arrest. It was a criminal act disguised as law enforcement. An attack not just on me as a Member of Parliament and 2027 presidential candidate, but on the democratic space of this nation," he added.
The MP has urged law enforcement authorities to take action and investigate who gave the orders to 'unlawfully' arrest him.
In recent weeks, Salasya has been the subject of discussion after he declared his interest in competing head-on with President William Ruto and other presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential elections.
Salasya has claimed that no amount of intimidation will block him from fighting for the rights of Kenyans, and he is intensifying his campaign to rally Kenyans to support him during the upcoming general elections.
Salasya, who declared his 2027 presidential bid through a statement on Monday, April 28, asserted that he will reinforce his security as he goes to Siaya starting in June to popularise his presidential bid.
"To those behind this, hear me loud and clear: you will not silence me. You will not threaten me into submission. No amount of intimidation, harassment, or attempted abduction will stop me from speaking for the people of Kenya and fighting for a country free from tyranny and impunity," he stated.
"I am going to popularise my presidential campaigns in Siaya from next month. I have a right to go anywhere," he added.
Salasya's bid comes on the heels of several other presidential bids, including Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang'i, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, and former Chief Justice David Maraga, who have also announced intentions to bid.
