Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers arrested Tiaty MP William Kamket on Wednesday, February 7 at around 2 pm and detained him at Nakuru Central Police Station, according to his lawyer.
Reports indicated that Kamket was apprehended at his office and spent the night in police custody after his lawyer's pleas to release him were denied.
The lawyer, Lemmy Lang’at, stated that the officers detained Kamket on allegations of inciting Tiaty residents to fight for the Suguta area, which the MP wants to be part of his constituency.
Kamket's legal team added that they were directed to wait for his arraignment at the Nakuru Law courts. However, they were yet to receive communication of the date and time for his appearance.
The DCI officers were said to have grilled him over making remarks bordering on incitement, hate speech and violence.
Political leaders from the Tiaty constituency demanded his release and the charge sheet detailing charges levelled against Kamket.
“MP Tiaty William Kamket was arrested by DCI under unclear circumstances at Nakuru and is currently held up at Nakuru Central police station. The arrest is a mockery for the legislature has been preaching peace all along,” Tirioko MCA Lokales Sam Lourien stated.
Lokales further urged Tiaty residents to wait for communication on the way forward as they continue to seek his release.
“On behalf of Tiaty leadership, we request our people to stay calm as we wait for our lawyers to brief us and further action from our courts,” Lokales added.
In October 2023, Kamket was summoned and grilled at the Rift Valley Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nakuru County over alleged incitement to violence.
Other leaders from the Rift Valley region, including Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, and West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, were also summoned on similar accusations.
Days after the arrests, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki instructed security agencies in banditry-prone areas to apprehend leaders accused of fueling the attacks.
“Security agencies are instructed to crack down on all political, commercial and spiritual enablers of banditry as well as key planners and commanders of bandit attacks,” CS Kindiki ordered.
Kamket ditched KANU leader Gideon Moi for HE William Ruto in September 2022, a month after that year's General Election.
“Working together is imperative for the full realisation of the economic objectives we promised the people of Kenya. I am pleased to welcome Tiaty MP William Kamket to Kenya Kwanza,” Ruto stated after receiving the MP ain Karen.
