Mukurweini Member of Parliament (MP) John Kaguchia has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday, August 3, shortly after claiming he was being pursued by plainclothes individuals.
The legislator was apprehended at the Royal Media Services (RMS) offices, where he had spent the night after expressing fears over his safety.
Earlier, Kaguchia had taken to social media, alleging that several unmarked Subaru vehicles surrounded the media station after he appeared on Inooro TV's Kiririmbi programme.
Following reports of his imminent arrest, the MP chose to remain inside the Royal Media Services premises throughout Sunday night.
"After my Kiririmbi Show this evening, a contingent of Police have surrounded Royal Media Studios and erected road blocks with intentions of arresting me! I will NOT BE INTIMIDATED whatsoever," he wrote on social media.
Although Kaguchia stayed inside the media house overnight, detectives maintained their presence outside the premises. Unverified reports also suggested that roadblocks had been mounted along Dennis Pritt Road, with motorists stopped and searched in what was believed to be an attempt to prevent the MP from leaving unnoticed.
Heightened security activity was also reported along Maalim Juma Road at its intersection with Dennis Pritt Road, where part of the carriageway was allegedly sealed off using spike strips, leaving motorists to share a single lane.
Eyewitnesses further alleged that several masked, heavily armed men dressed in civilian clothing stopped and searched vehicles heading towards the RMS offices. As of publication, authorities had not yet disclosed the identity of the officers or the reason behind the operation, prior to the arrest.
On Monday morning, Kaguchia said detectives were investigating him over remarks he made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County.
He further accused several state officials, including government digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, of promoting what he termed a false narrative that culminated in his arrest.
The controversy stems from the remarks Kaguchia allegedly made during a rally on Saturday, August 1. The MP, who is a close ally of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, appeared to suggest that residents of the Mt Kenya region would face consequences if they backed President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
During the rally, Kaguchia, speaking in his native language, appeared to caution Mt Kenya residents against voting for President Ruto in the 2027 polls, claiming those who backed the Head of State would be "smoked out" from their homes.
His remarks drew swift criticism from several prominent leaders, including Itumbi, who termed the comments undemocratic. Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi also faulted the MP, arguing that such rhetoric has no place in the country's political discourse.
The remarks have since generated heated debate online, with critics accusing Kaguchia of encouraging political intolerance, while supporters insist his comments were taken out of context.
The latest arrest comes amid an intensified crackdown on leaders accused of making inflammatory political statements. In recent weeks, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched investigations targeting several high-profile figures, including Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
