NAIROBI, Kenya – The Linda Mwananchi movement has condemned the arrest of Trans Nzoia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale, accusing the government of using police action to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, the movement demanded Mwale’s immediate release, describing the arrest as politically motivated and part of what it termed a growing pattern of harassment targeting its leaders in Trans Nzoia County.
Mwale, who represents Matisi Ward in the county assembly, also serves as the assembly’s Deputy Speaker and is the movement’s Senate aspirant for Trans Nzoia.
Linda Mwananchi said he was arrested by armed police officers in Kitale on Monday before being transferred to Kapenguria Police Station in neighbouring West Pokot County.
The movement claimed that police accused him of funding criminal activities and organising groups of individuals to cause disruption.
However, it rejected the allegations, arguing that they were intended to silence Mwale because of his political activities and his challenge to UDA’s Allan Chesang in the race for the Trans Nzoia Senate seat.
“We reject these allegations as politically motivated and intended to intimidate and silence Obed, a very popular candidate who is challenging UDA’s Allan Chesang,” the statement signed by Head of Communication Pauline Njoroge said.
Movement links arrest to wider political tensions
Linda Mwananchi further alleged that Mwale’s arrest was part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting individuals associated with the movement and Governor George Natembeya.
The group demanded justice and called for an end to what it described as arbitrary arrests and intimidation of its leaders and supporters.
It maintained that the arrest would not derail its political activities, declaring that it would continue organising despite what it termed harassment.
The movement also used the statement to renew its criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, saying it remained committed to challenging the government over issues of rights, freedoms and constitutional governance.
The latest reaction follows Governor Natembeya’s confirmation of Mwale’s detention at Kapenguria Police Station. The governor had said the MCA faced accusations relating to an alleged plan to obstruct Ruto’s motorcade during the President’s October 16 visit to Kitale, as well as claims of sponsoring disruptions at Kenya Kwanza rallies.
Arrest linked to October 16 Kitale confrontation
The case stems from events on October 16, when Ruto’s motorcade and a convoy associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement encountered each other near the Kitale flyover.
The President was leaving the town after launching development projects, while Sifuna arrived with members of the movement.
After Ruto’s departure, Sifuna and Natembeya addressed supporters before police dispersed the gathering using tear gas.
The National Police Service subsequently confirmed that two officers had been injured and two government vehicles damaged during the confrontation. It said investigations had been launched to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Obed Mwale’s Senate ambitions emerge in dispute
Mwale’s arrest has also drawn attention to the political contest taking shape in Trans Nzoia ahead of the 2027 elections.
By identifying him as its Senate aspirant and naming Chesang as his political challenger, Linda Mwananchi has placed the arrest within the context of an emerging electoral contest in the county.
The movement has repeatedly backed Natembeya in his public disagreements with the national government, including disputes over the Sh821 million Masinde Muliro Market project in Kitale.
