Police Arrest Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia Following Political Rally

Detectives arrested John Kaguchia, the Member of Parliament for Mukurwe-ini, on Monday morning after an overnight standoff at the Royal Media Services studios in Nairobi. Kaguchia sought refuge at the media house on Sunday evening following an appearance on Inooro TV’s Kiririmbi programme, claiming hooded police officers had surrounded the premises and erected roadblocks to apprehend him.

The arrest follows remarks Kaguchia made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Saturday. In a circulating video, Kaguchia warned residents against voting for President William Ruto in 2027, stating that supporters of the president would be identified and "smoked out" from their homes, and denied burial services and community support. Kaguchia claimed his comments were distorted by government digital strategist Dennis Itumbi and pro-government leaders to appear inflammatory.

Following his detention, Kaguchia was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters along Kiambu Road for questioning. Opposition leaders, including Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo and Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui, visited the DCI offices to demand that Kaguchia be granted immediate access to his legal team and processed through the courts in accordance with the law. As of Monday morning, the DCI had not publicly announced specific charges against the legislator.