NAIROBI, Kenya — Gachagua’s lawyer, Njeri Maina, has called for the immediate release of Gen Z activists arrested during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, including youth campaigner Allans Ademba.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, Maina linked the arrests to the aftermath of the by-election, in which the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) secured a decisive victory over the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“As we celebrate yesterday’s win, a comrade, a brave Gen-Z who has led a campaign that has registered over 2.9 million first-time voters, was arrested,” Maina said.
She specifically called for the release of Ademba, whom she described as a leading youth mobiliser behind a voter registration campaign.
“I am calling for the release of our comrade Allans Ademba!”
The legislator also demanded the release of other young people arrested in Ol Kalou during the election period.
“I am also calling for the release of all Gen-Z’s who were arrested yesterday in Ol-Kalou.”
Maina urged authorities to either free those in custody or formally present charges against them.
“Release or charge them!!!”
Her remarks come amid heightened political debate following the closely watched Ol Kalou by-election, which saw DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru defeat UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah by a wide margin.
Several opposition leaders have since alleged that security agencies used excessive force and carried out politically motivated arrests during the election period.