Nairobi: Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara Appears in Court After Dramatic Arrest in Nakuru
- Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was arrested in a dramatic evening swoop at her Maraigushu home, sparking political uproar
- Despite being driven to Milimani Courts before dawn, Kihara was not booked into the holding cells, confusing even her legal team
- Lawyers and supporters clashed with authorities as the MP vanished briefly after being held in a green Subaru in the court parking lot
- Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the arrest as harassment, saying it reeked of political intimidation against a vocal government critic
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has appeared at the Milimani Law Courts under tight security, following a dramatic arrest at her home in Maraigushu, Nakuru county.
Source: Original
Her arraignment came amid rising political tension and speculation over the charges she might face, with her supporters and lawyers decrying the arrest as politically motivated.
Was Jayne Kihara presented in court?
On Friday, July 18, Kihara was transported to the Milimani Law Courts in a green Subaru, arriving at around 7:00 am.
But the confusion only deepened when her legal team, led by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and joined by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, said she was not booked into the court cells.
Instead, she was briefly held in the parking lot inside the vehicle before being whisked away to an unknown location at approximately 8:20 am.
"We are at Milimani, at around 7:00 am the client was brought here but held at the parking. She wasn’t booked at the Milimani holding cells. She was at around 8:20 am whisked away in a green Subaru to unknown destination. We are stranded," Njiru stated.
The back-and-forth led to heated exchanges outside the court, with supporters and lawyers demanding transparency over her whereabouts.
At 10:20 am, detectives returned Kihara to the court premises, but she was still not immediately presented before a magistrate.
Her legal team insisted she be held in official court cells, rejecting the idea of detaining her in a vehicle.
Kalonzo, who is also part of her defence team, later addressed the media, describing the arrest and the morning drama as a clear case of harassment and intimidation.
Why was Jayne Kihara arrested?
Kihara, a vocal government critic and close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, had earlier dismissed a police summons as political intimidation.
She was arrested on Thursday, July 17 evening by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers after allegedly ignoring a notice to present herself.
Source: Facebook
The lawmaker, who had been live-streaming the events on Facebook since the moment officers arrived at her gate, was taken into custody in a scene that drew significant public interest.
She claimed dozens of officers had surrounded her residence even as she hosted supporters, accusing authorities of using state power to settle political scores.
"Don’t worry, we’ll fight to the end. They claim I have information that could help their investigation, but I don’t even know what it is. This is the very government I fought for, now it’s the one arresting me. They tell me the summons came from Nairobi, and I’m told the director is waiting for me there. This is all political," she said before being transferred to Nairobi.
Is Kihara's life in danger?
In a separate report, Kihara, a UDA member, raised security concerns, claiming her protection was withdrawn amid threats linked to her political ties, particularly with Gachagua.
She appealed directly to Ruto to restore her bodyguard, warning that she now feels “vulnerable” and “exposed,” especially during travel at night.
Kihara emphasised that her close association with Gachagua should not endanger her safety, asserting her independence and demanding accountability should anything happen to her.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
