MP Mukunji Speaks After Arrest, Claims Govt Is Intimidating Him

Manyatta Member of Parliament (MP) Gitonga Mukunji has described his arrest during the Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, July 7, as a form of government intimidation.

Mukunji was reportedly detained on allegations of inciting violence during the demonstrations. His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, stated that the MP was arrested around 3 p.m. and officially booked at Kibii Police Station by 3:53 p.m.

While addressing the media at the Kahawa Law Courts on Tuesday, July 8, Mukunji dismissed the charges brought against him, arguing that they lack merit and are insufficient to secure a conviction. He vowed to continue championing the rights of Kenyans despite the legal challenges.

Reacting to the protests that broke out in Embu earlier in the day following news of his arrest, Mukunji—an ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—urged young people to remain peaceful and avoid destroying property.

Embu-Nairobi Highway blocked by protestors on Tuesday, July 8. /PEOPLE DAILY

"Of course, the charges that have been presented in court will not carry any weight. I want to assure people that I'm safe, and I would like to encourage our youths not to destroy property," Mukunji said.

"I will not be intimidated because I will continue defending my people, but the loss of property and businesses and loss of life is something that we have to stop."

In a statement issued on Monday, July 7, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the arrest of the legislator but did not disclose the reasons behind his detention.

According to Njiru, Mukunji was later taken from the police station by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and transferred to Juja Police Station.

“The OCS (Kibii Police Station) has confirmed that he only booked him for the exclusive purpose of holding him,” Njiru stated.

Earlier, chaos erupted in Embu Town on Tuesday morning following the arrest of MP Mukunji, triggering violent confrontations between protesters and police. The unrest paralysed the town for several hours, with businesses shuttering, major roads blocked, and security forces struggling to regain control.

Youths, who made up the bulk of the demonstrators, lit bonfires and obstructed key roads—including the Embu-Meru and Embu-Kiritiri highways near the NHIF offices—bringing traffic and daily routines to a halt.

In an effort to prevent looting and property destruction, authorities dispatched reinforcements, including police trucks and Land Cruisers, echoing scenes from previous protests in the region.

Police responded by firing tear gas and live rounds into the air to disperse the crowds. Despite their efforts, tensions lingered, keeping banks, supermarkets, shops, and government offices shut for a second straight day.

Police in Embu Town lob tear gas into residential areas, forcing residents to remain indoors.

This is as security operations intensify following Tuesday's protests sparked by the arrest of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji.#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/zO1oSDUGkP — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) July 8, 2025

The usually bustling Embu town centre fell silent as residents stayed indoors, turning the area into a virtual ghost town amid the ongoing unrest.