Wamuzi News Ke
Chaos today engulfed Embu County after police arrested Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, a known ally of ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The legislator was detained in Juja during Saba Saba Day protests, an action that triggered immediate unrest in his constituency.
Arrest Sparks Immediate Backlash
MP Mukunji was intercepted at the Juja Toll area around 3:53 p.m., while allegedly distributing money to demonstrators. He was taken into custody at Kibii Police Station under OB No. 06/07/07/2025, and later transferred to the DCI office in Juja to face possible charges of incitement to violence.
His lawyer, Advocate Ndegwa Njiru, described the arrest as abrupt and lacking transparency. “He was held solely for the purpose of detention without formal charges or clear process,” Njiru stated, adding that the MP’s vehicle remains at the station and his family is still searching for his whereabouts.
Protesters Respond with Fury
Following the arrest, embers of discontent lit up Manyatta, with locals staging protests against what they called political persecution. Eyewitnesses reported demonstrations spilling onto town roads, with residents denouncing the MP’s detention as an attempt to stifle democratic dissent tied to the broader Saba Saba movement.
Political and Security Ramifications
Mukunji’s arrest intersects sharply with the KNCHR’s report of escalating violence: 10 deaths, 29 injuries, two abductions, and 37 arrests nationwide during Saba Saba Day. The MP’s close ties to Gachagua amplify the event’s political significance, fueling accusations that the government is weaponizing security forces to intimidate opposition elements. Analysts predict that tension within Kenya Kwanza may further fragment as politicians weigh their next moves.
What to Watch
- Legal Proceedings: Will formal charges of incitement emerge, and how will the courts respond to claims of procedural irregularities?
- Constituency Pressure: Will protests in Embu scale up, forcing police to intensify presence or negotiate?
- Coalition Fallout: Will this incident deepen divisions within the ruling alliance, undermining cohesion ahead of 2027?
In summary, MP Gitonga Mukunji’s arrest ignited fresh unrest in Embu, sparking a standoff that highlights Kenya’s fraught political and civil rights landscape. With national eyes now on Embu and Juja, this confrontation could shape the narrative on political freedom and accountability in the coming days. Stay with us for full legal updates, on-the-ground insight, and expert analysis.
