NAIROBI, Kenya – Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara has been arrested for allegedly defying summons from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over incitement allegations.
Kihara was picked up on Thursday afternoon at her Maraigushu home in Nakuru County during a dramatic police operation that was livestreamed on her Facebook page.
She is currently being held at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road in Nairobi after initially being detained at the Naivasha Police Station.
“Dozens of police officers are currently at my Maraigushu home to arrest me,” Kihara posted online shortly after hosting a meeting with sand harvesters in Mai Mahiu.
In the livestreamed footage, heavily armed officers — some in uniform, others in plainclothes — could be seen escorting the legislator into waiting SUVs.
Her lawyers, Waithaka Mwangi and Wachira Waiganjo, confirmed that the MP was taken away without being formally informed of the charges against her.
“We believe her arrest is related to the DCI summons issued earlier this week, which she did not honour,” said lawyer Waithaka Mwangi.
Anti-Terror Unit Involved in Operation
Eyewitnesses said the raid involved officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), with some reported to be hooded.
Kihara’s home was reportedly ransacked, and journalists were barred from entering the premises during the arrest.
According to the DCI, Kihara was summoned to appear on Monday, July 14, to answer to allegations of disseminating “inciteful or disruptive content” on social media.
The summons, signed by Deputy Director of Investigations George Lenny Kisaka, warned that failure to comply could lead to prosecution under Section 132 of the Penal Code, which deals with undermining the authority of a public officer.
“The Bureau is investigating an alleged offence of undermining the authority of a public officer… and I have reason to believe you are connected to the offence or possess information that may assist in investigations,” the notice read.
However, Kihara dismissed the summons in a defiant Facebook post, calling it an attempt to silence dissent.
“Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans’ resolve. This is not about Jayne Kihara — it’s about our country,” she wrote.
Political Fallout
Kihara’s arrest has heightened tensions within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, particularly between President William Ruto and allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The MP is among a group of lawmakers who have recently criticised the administration, accusing it of using security agencies to intimidate dissenters.
In May, Kihara claimed her bodyguards were withdrawn without explanation, leaving her “vulnerable and naked.”
“I plead with President Ruto to stop weaponising security agencies and to restore my security. If anything happens to me, let him be held responsible,” she said then.
Her arrest follows a string of similar crackdowns on Gachagua-aligned leaders, some of whom have been charged in connection with the Saba Saba and June 25 youth-led protests.
Earlier this month, two of Gachagua’s close allies were charged with terrorism-related offences for allegedly orchestrating attacks on government offices.
Gachagua himself recently claimed that State security agents tried to poison him using tear gas during a church event in Murang’a — a claim the government has not addressed.
