Forty-two members of the Amani National Congress (ANC), which is led by Musalia Mudavadi, were arrested by police officers in Milimani, Kitale on Tuesday, July 27.
The group was charged with two counts of a misdemeanour in a Kitale court. They were charged with holding a political gathering without obtaining a permit from relevant authorities.
For this count, they were slapped with a fine of Ksh10,000 each or to serve 2 months in jail.
The second count issued by Magistrate Julius Ng’angar found them guilty of flouting rules for the ongoing health pandemic. For this charge, the forty-two were issued a fine of Ksh5,000 each or the alternative of serving one month in jail.
However, the party’s deputy leader, Ayub Savula, cited the apprehension and ruling to be part of trials and tribulations faced in popularizing the party in Trans Nzoia.
He added that the arrest was malicious and politically motivated as party members had adhered to required health protocols.
“They want to intimidate us. They also want to intimidate our party leader Musalia Mudavadi and party officials. We were following regulations,’’ lamented Savula on NTV.
In the recent past, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi toured Central Kenya, namely the voter-rich Nyeri and Nyandarua counties in search of support for his presidential bid. He called for peace and cohesion ahead of the 2022 General Election.
While speaking in Njambini, Nyandarua on Sunday, July 25, Mudavadi urged politicians to avoid political approaches that may lead to electoral violence.
Trans Nzoia happens to be among the 13 counties in Western, parts of Rift Valley and the Lake region flagged for spikes in the spread of the pandemic.
The other 12 counties are Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Nyamira, Kisii, Kericho and Bomet.
Health regulations were consequently enhanced in the above-mentioned regions from Tuesday, June 29.
Political gatherings were also banned and the number of guests at funerals was reduced to 100. President Uhuru Kenyatta further decreed that funerals were obliged to be held within 96 hours of confirmation of death.
The latest declaration of curfew and accompanying protocols for the pandemic is set to expire on July 31, 2021.
