NAIROBI, Kenya – Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has declared he will not be silenced, just hours after being released from police custody following a three-day detention that triggered widespread protests in Embu County.
Speaking outside the Kahawa Law Courts on Thursday, Mukunji expressed gratitude to his supporters and pledged to continue championing the rights and freedoms of ordinary Kenyans.
“I would like to thank the people of Embu and the people of Kenya for the support. That’s the spirit—we will always continue to defend the rights of our people,” he said.
The outspoken legislator was granted release on a cash bail of KSh300,000 or a bond of KSh1 million after Senior Magistrate Kipkemoi Koech rejected a police application to detain him for an additional 14 days.
Mukunji was arrested on Monday, July 7, in Mang’u, Kiambu County, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He was initially held at Kibii Police Station before being transferred to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.
The National Police Service confirmed his arrest but did not clarify its connection to the demonstrations.
The MP has strongly refuted any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “baseless” and “politically motivated.”
He also criticized the government for what he termed a coordinated attempt to silence critical voices, particularly those allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“I will not be intimidated because I will continue defending my people. But the loss of property and businesses, and the loss of life, is something that we must stop,” Mukunji added.
His detention sparked demonstrations across Embu, with residents flooding the streets in protest and demanding his immediate release.
Many described his arrest as a violation of democratic freedoms and an attempt to muzzle dissent.
Mukunji’s political star has been on the rise, with speculation growing that he could be a front-runner in the 2027 Embu gubernatorial race.
His affiliation with Gachagua’s Democratic Conservative Party (DCP) has only fueled perceptions that he is being targeted for his political stance.
Several DCP leaders have thrown their weight behind him, framing his arrest as part of a broader government crackdown on opposition voices amid the Gen Z-led movement demanding economic reforms, accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality.
