Police have detained four politicians who they claim have been fuelling violence during the opposition protests against the high cost of living.
They include Antony Oluoch, MP for Mathare Constituency in Nairobi, Peter Owera, MCA Huduma Ward, and Peter Imwatok Jateso, the MCA for Makongeni Ward, as well as his personal assistant Victor Obel.
Police said that the four individuals are among politicians who have been mobilizing youths to cause the chaos witnessed in parts of the capital city.
The four are accused of dishing out money to young people to lure them to the demonstrations.
Oluoch was also found in illegal possession of a police walkie-talkie, police said.
He, however, denies the claims, which he termed as fabrications.
Investigations are ongoing to establish how he allegedly got hold of the sanctioned police equipment.
Oluoch and the other three will be arraigned on Monday, July 24 2023.
This will be past the 24 hours they are supposed to be produced in court. Oluoch was arrested on Thursday evening along Ngong Road.
He and others were grilled at DCI headquarters on Friday night before they were taken away to separate police cells ahead of their arraignment.
Other politicians who have been arrested in the recent past include Redson Onyango, MCA Ngei Ward and Wilfred Oluoch, MCA Mabatini, who were arrested on July 19, in what their lawyers termed as ethnic profiling.
Others who were arrested and have been charged in court in connection with the demonstration and the ensuing violence include: Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili Owino, alias Babu Owino, and Calvin Okoth, alias Gaucho.
The two were arraigned at the Milimani law courts on July 21, on charges of subversion and unlawful assembly.
They were released on Sh100,000 cash bail.
There has been increasing scrutiny on opposition politicians after the said protests against cost of living, which were initially billed as peaceful, turned violent with loss of lives, business closures leading to losses and destruction of property worth millions as well as interruption of learning after police intervened.
Police have been criticized over their conduct in the protests.
There have been calls by stakeholders from various sectors including religious, political leaders and even diplomats for cessation of the violence and a peaceful resolution of the issues raised by protestors.
On the other hand, government officials have reiterated their call for peace and affirmed their resolve to stem violence and restore order, and to protect lives and property, even as calm returns to areas previously rocked by unrest which has turned deadly.
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