Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji claims that his arrest, which happened on Monday, July 7, during the Saba Saba Day demonstrations, is a form of intimidation from the government.
Mukunji is believed to have been apprehended over allegations of incitement to violence during the protests.
Speaking at the Kahawa Law Court on Tuesday, June 8, the lawmaker claimed that the charges presented in court do not carry weight to convict him of a crime. Mukunji asserted that he will remain at the vanguard in advocating for the rights of Kenyans despite such setbacks.
Responding to the protests that ensued earlier today in Embu, following his arrest, Mukunji, who is an ally to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, stressed the need for the youths to maintain calm and refrain from destruction of property.
"Of course, the charges that have been presented in court will not carry any weight. I want to assure people that I'm safe, and I would like to encourage our youths not to destroy property," Mukunji said.
"I will not be intimidated because I will continue defending my people, but the loss of property and businesses and loss of life is something that we have to stop," he added.
According to Ndegwa Njiru, one of Gachagua's lawyers, Mukunji was arrested at around 3pm and booked at Kibii Police Station at 3:53pm via OB number 06/07/07/2025.
In its statement on Monday, July 7, the National Police Service (NPS), which confirmed the arrest of the lawmaker, did not reveal the reason for his apprehension.
Mukunji was later picked up from the police station by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and transferred to Juja Police Station, according to Njiru.
“The OCS (Kibii Police Station) has confirmed that he only booked him for the exclusive purpose of holding him,” Njiru stated.
According to the police, a total of 567 people were arrested during the Saba Saba protests. At least 11 people had lost their lives, while 63 individuals, both police and civilians, sustained injuries.
"We encourage anyone with information about individuals involved in criminal activities who are still at large to come forward and share that information by reporting to the nearest police station or contact us via our toll-free numbers," read the statement from the NPS.
