Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia has been arrested by DCI detectives at a local media’s offices in Nairobi, where he had spent the night following an overnight standoff just after a media interview.
Regional DCI Commander Daniel Kandie confirmed the arrest on Monday morning, saying Kaguchia would be taken to the DCI regional offices along Valley Road for questioning.
The arrest is linked to remarks the lawmaker allegedly made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, over the weekend.
Kaguchia, who is a vocal ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, reportedly warned in Kikuyu that Mount Kenya residents who vote for President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election would face consequences, including being tracked down and “smoked out” of their homes.
The remarks have attracted criticism from several quarters, including presidential adviser Dennis Itumbi and senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who described the rhetoric as inappropriate.
Kaguchia has denied wrongdoing and accused authorities of targeting him for political reasons, maintaining that his remarks had been mischaracterised.
Kaguchia spent the night updating on his predicament through his social media pages.
“After my Kiririmbi Show this evening a contingent of Police have surrounded Royal Media Studios and erected road blocks with intentions of arresting me! I will not be intimidated whatsoever” he wrote marking the beginning of his overnight tribulations.
A few hours later, Kaguchia indicated that individuals that were planning to arrest were still surrounding the offices.
“3.56AM over 40 hooded & masked heavily armed men with over 13 subarus & double cabs surrounding RMS! No uniformed police at site” he added.
A few colleagues from opposition circles and lawyers later joined him at the offices just before he was picked.
