Why Was MP Gitonga Mukunji Arrested?
Embu Town was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday morning following the unexpected arrest of Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji. Tension gripped the region as demonstrators, mostly youth, lit bonfires and barricaded roads, demanding answers. The Embu-Meru and Embu-Kiritiri highways near the NHIF offices were completely blocked, bringing transport to a halt.
Mukunji was reportedly arrested on Monday around 3:00 p.m. and booked at Kibii Police Station by 4:00 p.m., according to his lawyer, Advocate Ndegwa Njiru. The arrest was recorded under OB number 06/07/07/2025. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kibii later handed the MP over to detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Juja.
Njiru said the OCS hinted at possible incitement to violence charges, but more than 24 hours later, no formal charges have been filed, no official statement has been made, and Mukunji’s whereabouts remain unknown. His vehicle still sits at the Kibii station, only adding to the growing confusion.
How Did Embu Residents React to the Arrest?
The response on the ground was immediate and intense. Demonstrators clashed with police, who fired tear gas and live rounds into the air to break up the crowd. Despite the heavy police presence, protestors persisted, prompting business closures and the shutdown of government offices. Embu’s normally vibrant town center fell eerily silent, echoing scenes from past unrest.
Additional police reinforcements were rushed in using Land Cruisers and trucks to prevent property damage. Yet public frustration only escalated, with residents accusing authorities of politically motivated harassment.
What Happens Next for Gitonga Mukunji?
As calls for Mukunji’s release grow louder, pressure is mounting on law enforcement to clarify why he was arrested and where he is being held. His supporters in Manyatta and across Embu County have vowed to keep up the pressure until he is released.
Local leaders allied to the MP are expected to hold a press briefing in the coming days, as public outrage continues to spread both on the streets and online.
By Lucky Anyanje