Nairobi — Police arrested Mukurwe-ini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia on Monday morning after he spent the night inside Royal Media Services (RMS) studios, saying officers had surrounded the premises following remarks he made at a weekend rally.
The arrest, carried out by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), followed hours of tension outside the broadcaster’s Nairobi offices. Kaguchia had taken refuge there on Sunday evening after appearing on Inooro TV’s Kiririmbi programme.
In a post shared shortly after the broadcast, the legislator said security officers had mounted a presence around the station.
“A contingent of police have surrounded Royal Media Studios and erected roadblocks with intentions of arresting me,” he wrote. “I will not be intimidated whatsoever.”
By dawn, officers were still stationed outside. Shortly after, they moved in.
Speaking to Citizen TV before his arrest, Hon. Kaguchia said the investigation stemmed from comments he made at a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Saturday. He argued that his remarks had been misrepresented.
“I saw a lot of hype yesterday by the government about my political utterances,” he said. “They were pushed as being inflammatory. That is an issue that falls under the purview of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.”
He added that he had not received a formal summons. “All I have received is social media posts from Dennis Itumbi and some government-leaning MPs, which were twisted to fit a certain narrative. I have no problem presenting myself to NCIC,” he said.
At the rally, Mr Kaguchia had warned of consequences for Mount Kenya voters who might support President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kikuyu, he said those who backed the president would be “tracked to their homes and smoked out”, remarks that have since drawn criticism from political opponents and raised concerns over inflammatory rhetoric.
Police have not publicly detailed the exact charges under consideration. Daniel Kandie, a regional DCI commander who was present at the scene, said the MP would be taken in for questioning. “He will be escorted to our offices for further interrogation,” he told reporters.
Initial reports indicated Mr Kaguchia would be held at the DCI’s regional offices in Milimani. Later, officials confirmed he had been transferred to the agency’s headquarters along Kiambu Road.
The arrest has sparked debate over the boundaries of political speech and the role of law enforcement during a charged pre-election period. Supporters of the MP say he is being targeted for his views. Critics argue his remarks crossed a line in a country with a history of election-related tensions.
Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which is mandated to address hate speech, has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
As the investigation unfolds, the case is likely to test how authorities balance freedom of expression with the need to curb language that could incite division, a question that has long shadowed the country’s politics.
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