Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has dismissed claims that recent arrests of political leaders, including Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, are politically motivated. Speaking to the press, Mwaura emphasized that the arrests are a result of individual conduct and not a reflection of one’s political affiliation.
“It is not fair to say that the people who are being arrested are those against the protest-free government. That’s not a fair statement,” said Mwaura. “If you look at anyone who has been arrested, it has to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Their arrest cannot simply be assumed to be politically driven.”
Mwaura reiterated that the government’s mandate is to uphold law and order without bias. He insisted that no one is above the law and the state cannot be held hostage by individuals with political followings.
“Even the government has followers. We are all followers of Kenya, and we should be protected at all costs. We have no other home than this one,” he stated.
MP Peter Salasya was arrested on Friday along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway and held at the Nairobi Central Police Station. He spent several nights in custody before being arraigned at the Milimani Magistrate’s Court on hate speech charges, which he denied. Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai granted Salasya a bond of Sh500,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.
“Since the bond terms are not opposed, I am aided to grant the accused person as follows; he is admitted to a surety bond of Sh500,000 in the alternative cash bail of Sh200,000,” ruled Magistrate Mutai.
Mwaura stressed that Kenya remains a free and democratic country where dissenting views are allowed. “Even within the ODM and UDA parties, there are members with contrary opinions. They are not being arrested. No one is being silenced for their opinion,” he said.
He warned that incitement will not be tolerated, regardless of one’s position, reiterating the government’s commitment to upholding national peace and unity.
