Update: Police dispersed a rally held by Senator Malala outside the police station moments after his release.
While addressing the crowd, the Senator stated that he was arrested over the divisive revenue sharing allocation formula.
"Why did they arrest me in Nairobi and not in Kakamega? I will not allow a single coin to be taken from other counties. That's my stand on the revenue formula," Malala stated.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala was released on Tuesday morning, August 18 after spending the night in jail.
His lawyer Nelson Havi stated that DPP Noordin Haji had dropped charges against the Senator.
Malala was arrested on Monday, August 17 for allegedly distributing face masks and sanitizers, a charge he argued was doctored to stop him from voting for the revenue allocation formula in the Senate.
Before his release, the Senator stated that police officers deflated his vehicle's tires at the police station in Mumias to derail him from proceeding to the courts.
Youths had barricaded the roads and lit bonfires in Mumias while demanding for his release.
Police shot teargas and engaged the protesting youth in running battles during the early morning hours.
Bomet Senator Christopher Langata and his Samburu counterpart, Ltumbesi Lelegwe, were also arrested ahead of the revenue sharing debate on Monday, August 17. The duo was also released after Senate failed to agree on a revenue formula for the ninth time.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i declined to honour a summon by the Senate which demanded an explanation over the arrest of the three legislators.
"I can tell you, Mr Speaker, when Parliament summons, it does not matter whether you are on leave or on honeymoon or in a cabinet meeting. The summon of Parliament, in my view, supersedes the summon of the High Court because we make the law," Siaya Senator James Orengo argued while debating in the house.
Senators formed a 12-member committee to create a revenue formula after they failed to agree for the ninth time.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Skaja will co-chair the committee together with his Bungoma colleague Moses Wetangula.
Other Senators who form part of the committee are Senators Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Mahamud Mohamed (Mandera), Steward Madzayo (Kilifi), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay), Anwar Oleitiptip (Lamu), Ledama Ole Kina (Narok) and John Kinyua (Laikipia).
Watch youth riot demanding for Malala's release
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