NAIROBI, Kenya – Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who represents former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has claimed that he was arrested by police officers from Kasarani Police Station over allegations of obstruction after his vehicle reportedly broke down along Thika Highway.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Njiru said he was being held at Kasarani Police Station but had not yet been formally booked.
“I have been arrested by the Kasarani police. I am at Kasarani station. I am being accused of obstruction after my vehicle broke down on the Thika Highway. Police are yet to book me,” Njiru said in a statement posted at around 10 p.m.
The lawyer, who has been a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest.
There was no immediate statement from the National Police Service explaining the arrest or confirming the obstruction allegations.
Following Njiru’s statement, the incident sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users questioning the basis of the alleged arrest while others argued that police should enforce the law without regard to an individual’s status.
Among those who commented was Paul Neko, who alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and criticised the move in a post on X.
“I condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the targeted arrest of counsel Ndegwa Njiru. I hope William Ruto is satisfied that Ndegwa is spending the night at Kasarani Police Station,” he wrote.
Neko further claimed that inmates at the police station were chanting political slogans, although the claim could not be independently verified.
Other social media users argued that a vehicle breakdown alone should not constitute grounds for arrest, while others maintained that traffic and public order laws apply equally to all citizens.
By the time of publication, police had not publicly responded to the allegations or indicated whether Njiru had been formally charged.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest remained unclear, and further details were expected as investigations and official communication from the authorities emerged.