Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara has been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of undermining the authority of a public officer, in what is shaping up to be a politically charged development.
According to a letter issued by Assistant Inspector General of Police George Lenny Kisaka, Kihara is being investigated over the alleged dissemination of inciteful or disruptive content deemed to contravene Section 132 of the Penal Code, which criminalises undermining the authority of public officers.
The DCI summon, which has been seen by Kenyans.co.ke, states that the police believe Kihara is either directly connected to the alleged offence or has crucial information that can aid the ongoing investigations.
“I have reasons to believe that you, Hon. Jayne Njeri Wanjiku Kihara, MP Naivasha Constituency, are connected to the offence or have information that can assist me in my investigations,” the letter read in part.
She has been ordered to appear before officers at the DCI Headquarters, on Kiambu Road, on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 10:30am. The notice warned that failure to appear would amount to an offence liable to prosecution.
The summons comes against the backdrop of mounting political tensions, particularly following sustained criticism of the government by a section of leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with Kihara being one of the more vocal figures.
In her response, Kihara did not hold back, accusing the government of using state agencies to intimidate dissenting voices and stifle democratic expression. She framed the summons as a political tactic meant to silence critics.
“The days of intimidating leaders using the criminal justice system are long gone. Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans’ resolve because it’s not about Jayne Kihara but about our country, Kenya,” she wrote.
She went further to directly address President William Ruto, suggesting that his administration was following in the footsteps of past regimes that used coercion to control political narratives. “Mr. President, this is a tried and tested strategy; it has not worked before, and it will not work with you either,” she added.
“These political persecutions will not stop us from calling out this oppressive regime,” Kihara concluded, vowing to continue her vocal criticism of what she described as authoritarian tendencies within the current administration.
The developments come amid mounting pressure on the government to crack down on Gachagua’s inner circle over allegations of incitement and claims of hiring goons to infiltrate the protests witnessed over the past two months.
Gachagua on his side, has in the past claimed that President Ruto had directed the DCI to arrest young people who were affiliated with his party. He further claimed that the operation was also being coordinated by governors allied with the President.
