DCI Summons Rigathi Gachagua's Close Ally over Incitement: "Appear Without Fail"
- Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was asked to appear at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters on Monday, July 14
- Kihara, a close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, issued a strongly worded response to the summons by the DCI
- She explained how President William Ruto is allegedly using the criminal justice system to target Gachagua's allies
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, political analyst Mercy Simiyu criticised state summons as a threat to political tolerance and institutional credibility in Kenya
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara.
Source: Facebook
In a letter seen by TUKO.co.ke, Kihara is accused of uttering inciteful remarks at an unspecified event.
Who summoned Jayne Kihara?
"The bureau is investigating an alleged offence of undermining the authority of a public officer contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code, CAP 63, Laws of Kenya; whereby a complaint on dissemination of inciteful or disruptive content, features," the summons read.
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The summons, signed by Deputy Director of the Investigations Bureau George Lenny Kisaka, required Kihara to appear at DCI headquarters on Monday, July 14, at 10.30 am.
"I hereby compel you to appear before me at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters, Investigation Bureau Offices, situated along Kiambu Road at Mazingira House, Block B, 2nd floor Room 78 on Monday, July 14 at 10.30 am without fail," Kisaka said.
DCI warned Kihara, a close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, against disobeying the summons.
"Failure to comply with the requisition constitutes an offence liable to prosecution," DCI stated.
Reacting to the summons, Kihara termed them political persecutions, arguing that President William Ruto was using the criminal justice system to target his opponent.
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Mercy Simiyu, a political analyst, weighed in on the simmering tension between President William Ruto’s administration and perceived allies of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
She argued that the use of legal instruments to summon or detain opposition voices sends a worrying signal about the state of political tolerance in Kenya.
“This pattern of criminal summons targeting individuals allied to a specific political faction gives the impression of weaponised justice. It not only delegitimises the institutions involved but also heightens political polarisation, especially at a time when national unity is fragile,” she told TUKO.co.ke.
Why was Jayne Kihara summoned?
According to Kihara, summoning her would not change how Kenyans feel about the Kenya Kwanza administration.
She stated that the strategy being deployed by Ruto is outdated and that it will not stop Gachagua's allies from criticising the government.
"The days of intimidating leaders using the criminal justice system are long gone. Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans' resolve because it's not about Jayne Kihara but our country, Kenya.
"Mr. President, this is a tried and tested strategy; it has not worked before, it will not work with you either. These political persecutions will not stop us from calling out this oppressive regime," she added.
She alluded that the summons are connected to the speech she made during the burial of slain hawker Boniface Kariuki in Murang'a County on Friday, July 11.
Source: Facebook
Why was Gitonga Mukunji arrested?
The latest development comes a few days after another close ally of the former deputy president was arrested and charged in court.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji spent three days in custody after the DCI linked him to the Saba Saba protests.
The Kahawa Law Courts later released him on a KSh 300,000 cash bail after dismissing DCI’s plea to hold him for 14 more days, citing insufficient evidence to justify continued detention
In their application, the DCI accused the Manyatta lawmaker of inciting violence and funding protest-linked groups.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
