NAIROBI, Kenya — Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has condemned remarks attributed to Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia on voter profiling, describing them as reckless, inciteful and a threat to democratic freedoms.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Kinyanjui warned that profiling citizens based on their political choices has, in the past, produced devastating consequences and should never be tolerated.
“The utterances attributed to Hon. John Kaguchia on the profiling of voters are reckless, inciteful, and regrettable,” Kinyanjui said.
He cautioned against any attempt to intimidate or coerce citizens because of their political opinions, saying democracy depends on every Kenyan being free to support a candidate or political party of their choice without fear.
“No person should be punished for their political opinion. Expressing one’s choice is the very essence of democracy. Decisions must be free of coercion or any form of intimidation,” he said.
Kinyanjui noted that political majorities and minorities vary across different parts of the country, arguing that every citizen’s voice deserves equal respect regardless of political affiliation.
“What may be a minority view in one area may be the majority in another. All voices matter,” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary also warned against repeating mistakes that have previously fueled political tensions, saying Kenya must learn from its history.
“It is yet another indication of how short a memory we possess. May this be the last lesson that such recklessness will not be tolerated,” he said.
Arrest of Kaguchia
Kinyanjui’s statement came hours after Kaguchia was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) outside the Royal Media Services headquarters in Nairobi.
The legislator had spent the night inside the media station after claiming heavily armed police officers had surrounded the premises following his appearance on a television programme.
Detectives later arrested the MP and escorted him to DCI headquarters for questioning over remarks allegedly made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, which investigators are examining for possible incitement.
The arrest has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders accusing the government of selectively applying the law while government leaders insist that inflammatory political rhetoric must be addressed regardless of the speaker.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
