Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara has accused the government of waging a political witch-hunt against allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alleging that trumped-up charges are being used to silence dissent.
Kihara, a second-term legislator, was arrested on July 17 at her Maraigushu residence for allegedly failing to honour a summons by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The summons followed her public claims that youths had been ferried into Naivasha to incite violence during the recent Saba Saba protests.
Speaking to supporters in Naivasha town on Saturday evening, Kihara condemned her arrest, terming it as part of a broader crackdown targeting Gachagua’s political allies. “This is not about the law. This is political persecution. We will not be intimidated,” she declared.
The following day, Kihara appeared before a Nairobi court, where she was charged with making statements likely to disturb public peace. She was released on a Ksh.50,000 bond.
Kihara further claimed that President William Ruto had capitalized on Gachagua’s influence to rise to power but was now seeking to politically isolate him. She revealed that she had been de-whipped from influential parliamentary committees due to her resistance to efforts aimed at removing Gachagua from the deputy presidency.
Accompanied by local leaders, Kihara urged the government to shift its focus toward fulfilling promises made to the youth, particularly the creation of sustainable employment through industrial development.
Lakeview Ward MCA Alex Mbugua backed Kihara’s claims, asserting that individuals were indeed transported into Naivasha during the Saba Saba protests with the aim of inciting chaos and looting. “It is unfair that the MP is now being harassed by the same government she fought to build,” he said.
Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja also weighed in, terming the charges against Kihara as colonial relics and calling on President Ruto to promote unity and inclusivity in governance.
The developments highlight growing tensions within the ruling coalition amid accusations of internal sabotage and political suppression.
