Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji has taken legal action against top government officials, accusing them of unlawfully arresting him during the recent Saba Saba protests.
In a petition filed at the Milimani High Court, Mukunji claims that his arrest was not only illegal but also politically motivated, targeting him for openly criticizing the government.
The lawsuit specifically names Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, and Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga. Mukunji alleges that the three officials abused their authority by arresting and charging him without any justifiable reason.
In his petition, Mukunji accuses the State of weaponizing the Prevention of Terrorism Act as a tool to silence dissent and intimidate those who challenge government actions. He says his arrest was part of a wider strategy by the government to suppress opposition voices under the guise of maintaining national security.
The MP was arrested on July 7, 2025, while driving along the Thika Superhighway towards Nairobi. He was in the company of journalist James Ikuwa Mbochi—who was covering the Saba Saba demonstrations—and boda boda rider Stanley Mbuthia Wanjiru, who followed the police vehicle after witnessing Mukunji’s arrest out of concern.
According to court documents, over 40 police officers in several vehicles blocked and arrested them at the Toll area in Juja Sub-County before taking them to Kibii Police Station.
Mukunji argues that the charges filed against him and the two others were baseless and manufactured to punish him for expressing his views against how the government handled the protests.
His legal team is now urging the High Court to throw out the case, citing violations of his constitutional rights and an abuse of police and prosecution powers.
This case comes at a time when there is growing criticism and concern over the actions of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Both bodies have come under fire for allegedly using anti-terror laws to arrest and intimidate young activists, demonstrators, and critics of the government.
In response to the accusations, the DPP on Monday denied any wrongdoing, stating that the charges brought forward were lawful and based on the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The ODPP also emphasized that while it respects freedom of speech and the role of a vibrant civil society, such freedoms should operate within the legal boundaries set by the Act. It urged critics to understand the law’s framework rather than misinterpreting it as a tool for suppressing political opinions.
Mukunji’s petition is likely to spark further debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties, especially as more Kenyans raise concerns about the shrinking space for free expression.
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