Saba Saba: Gachagua Ally MP Gitonga Mukunji Arrested Following Violence During Protests
- Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji was picked up in Juja under unclear circumstances during the height of the Saba Saba protests
- His lawyer said the Kibii station’s records showed his entry, but gave no hint of where he went next
- Mukunji's wife and legal team were reportedly left stranded as officers reportedly blocked access and withheld key details
- The lawmaker is likely to face serious protest-related charges, but his location remained undisclosed hours after his arrest
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, a close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, has been arrested in connection with the Saba Saba protests.
Source: Facebook
Mukunji was reportedly apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Juja around 3pm and taken to Kibii Police Station.
The youthful lawmaker was reportedly booked under Occurrence Book (OB) number 06/07/07/2025.
Mukunji's arrest coincided with widespread unrest and street demonstrations led by youth across the country, including in his home county of Embu.
Confirming his arrest, the MP’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, who spoke after visiting the station, said the arrest lacked transparency.
Njiru, who was accompanied by Mukunji's wife, accused the authorities of frustrating efforts to locate and access his client.
"He was arrested around 1500 hours. He was booked at Kibii Police Station at 1553 hours, vide OB No. 06/07/07/2025. The OCS has confirmed that he has been picked by the DCI Juja Police station. His car is currently parked at Kibii Police Station. His whereabouts are not known," Njiru shared on X.
Why was MP Gitonga Mukunji arrested, detained?
He expressed concern over the police’s failure to provide clear information about the lawmaker’s detention, transfer, or expected legal process.
According to Njiru, the station's Occurrence Book only recorded Mukunji’s entry but failed to indicate his release or transfer to another facility, raising alarm.
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The lawyer explained that the lawmaker was likely to be charged with inciting chaos during the protests in Embu.
"The OB at Kibii police station has only captioned his entry to the station, but it has not indicated his exit from the station. The OCS has confirmed that he only booked him for the exclusive purpose of holding him. The OCS says that he is likely to face charges of incitement to violence. That's all the information in my possession.
The police have withheld any useful information from his spouse and the advocates acting in the matter. Keep him in your prayers," Njiru added.
Did protesters burn a Meru supermarket?
In a related report, rioters in Meru county reportedly torched the popular Magunas Supermarket and the adjoining Club Seven Eleven.
Firefighters were hindered by a lack of water and hostile crowds throwing stones at emergency vehicles, even a Red Cross ambulance.
Protesters chanted against economic hardship, corruption, and police brutality, demanding accountability and the resignation of President William Ruto.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
