Midnight Arrest: Maina Njenga Detained, Lawyer Confirms
Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was arrested at his Kiserian house on Wednesday night, July 19, according to his lawyer.
Ndegwa Njiru, Njenga’s lawyer, announced in a statement that the ex-leader of the illegal organization was apprehended by police without stating the reason or the allegations he was facing.
According to the lawyer, his brother Njoroge Njenga and personal assistant Ole Lekishe were also taken away during the night raid in an apparent attempt to suppress the anti-government rallies mobilization.
According to Njiru, the three were driven away to an unidentified location.
The arrests come only hours after Raila Odinga’s close aides and political associates were apprehended on a day that was scheduled to be the opening of three days of anti-Ruto protests.
While most people stayed at home on the first day of the protests, police were able to keep protestors on the fringes under control with breakouts in normal opposition strongholds.
Embakasi MP Babu Owino, Raila’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta, his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Makadara MP George Aladwa, Kilifi MP Ken Chonga, and several MCAs have also been arrested as a result of the protests.
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Fridah Ongili, Babu’s wife, begged the authorities on Wednesday, July 19, to free her husband after scouring five police stations.
Babu’s wife claimed that her husband was being held at the Wanguru Police Station in Mwea, where officials were processing him before arraignment.
“Yesterday (Tuesday, July 18), at around 11:00 PM, he called me and told me that he was at the airport and had been detained by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers,” Fridah explained.
Azimio principal Martha Karua has blamed the administration for the outbreak of violence during the protests and has stated that their peaceful marches will continue.
“We salute the valiant Kenyan patriots who braved police tear gas, water cannons, and bullets by demonstrating in large numbers to express their sovereign will,” Karua said.
“Once again, the people have spoken out loud and clear in condemning the punitive taxes imposed on them by the illegitimate Kenya Kwanza regime through the ill-fated Finance Act 2023.” “The people have declared in one accord that if the regime does not listen to them, they will liberate and fend for themselves,” Karua said.
Midnight Arrest: Maina Njenga Detained, Lawyer Confirms