MP Peter Salasya Allegedly Arrested After Gunmen Opened Fire At His Car

Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has claimed he has been arrested after allegedly being attacked by gunmen.

According to the MP, he was ambushed by what he believes were Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers on the Isiolo-Nanyuki road shortly after addressing a rally in Isiolo.

Describing the incident, Salasya claimed the masked men—armed with AK-47s—fired at his convoy. He said they went on to disarm his bodyguards and seize their weapons, though he initially managed to escape the scene.

"I have just been attacked by unknown individuals claiming to be DCI officers. These people, heavily armed and moving with force, ambushed my convoy, disarmed my security team, confiscated their firearms, and pursued my vehicle. One of my security personnel managed to escape and helped me flee into a nearby bush for safety," he stated on X.

MP Peter Salasya addressing a rally in Isiolo on May 16, 2025. /PETER SALASYA

"They shot at my vehicle, aiming directly at me. Shortly after, they emerged with at least 15 AK-47 rifles and confronted me with a chilling message—one I cannot disclose at this time for security reasons," he added.

Salasya, in a series of posts, had beforehand claimed that his car was fired upon by the masked armed men, who aimed for the tires to immobilise the vehicle.

“Multiple unidentified vehicles intercepted and opened fire on our convoy. The tires of the car carrying Salasya were shot, and the vehicle has been immobilised,” read a statement posted on his X.

“His bodyguards have been disarmed, and Salasya has been taken by force. This is a serious threat to his life, and immediate intervention is needed. We urgently appeal for help from the police.”

Salasya was speaking to residents in Isiolo Town as part of his 2027 presidential familiarisation tour. This follows a recent incident on the night of Saturday, May 10, 2025, when he reportedly evaded arrest at a Mombasa hotel after locals confronted the officers.

Videos shared online showed several armed men in plain clothes and masks at the hotel where the Mumias East MP was staying.

After the incident, Salasya said the individuals, who identified themselves as police, didn’t show any ID or present an arrest warrant. He also pointed out that the vehicle they were using had no license plates, which raised doubts about the legitimacy of the attempted arrest.

“I want to categorically condemn the reckless, shameful, and cowardly attempt by unidentified individuals purporting to be police officers who stormed my hotel residence in Mombasa earlier today to unlawfully arrest me,” he wrote on his official X account.

“Let it be clear, this was not an arrest. It was a criminal act disguised as law enforcement—an attack not just on me as a Member of Parliament and 2027 presidential candidate, but on the democratic space of this nation.”

The incident happened shortly after Mumias East MP publicly announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 general elections.

He stated that his campaign will be launched under a new political movement, still unnamed, and pledged to move away from what he called "traditional politics fueled by tribal alliances and money."

Images of the damaged tyres of Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya after an ambush when he was coming from a rally in Isiolo on Friday, May 16, 2025. /PETER SALASYA