Ichung'wah: A true leader should not protest Kaguchia's arrest

Speaking during an engagement with village elders at State House on Tuesday, Ichung'wah criticized leaders condemning Kaguchia's arrest following remarks the MP allegedly made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Saturday.

"I have heard those tribal leaders. When a leader says something, you as his senior should stop defending him after legal action has been taken against him over statements that might cause chaos in the country" said Ichung'wah.

The Kikuyu MP argued that leadership demands protecting the lives and security of all Kenyans by condemning politicians whose actions or statements could incite unrest, rather than defending them for political gain.

"If you are a true leader, you should not be talking about the arrest of people who are perpetuating criminality and endangering the lives of other Kenyans. You should be condemning them. Shame on you if you cannot condemn them; all you can do is try to seek cheap political capital," he said.

Ichung'wah also urged Kenyans to reject tribal politics, warning that ethnic mobilization by political leaders could undermine national unity and stability.

His remarks came a day after Gachagua condemned Kaguchia's arrest, describing it as an attempt to use the criminal justice system to intimidate political opponents.

In a statement issued on Monday, Gachagua argued that using law enforcement to settle political scores had failed in the past and would not succeed against the opposition.

"The overnight harassment and early morning arrest of John Kaguchia today only strengthen the resolve of our supporters and elevate his standing within our leadership hierarchy," Gachagua said.

He further maintained that the arrest would galvanize opposition supporters rather than weaken their resolve, insisting that legal action against opposition leaders would not deter their political activities.

During a rally in Kieni, Nyeri County on Saturday, Kaguchia warned Mt Kenya residents of dire consequences if they vote for President Ruto in the upcoming general elections.

Speaking in his Kikuyu dialect, said that those who will vote for President Ruto will be tracked to their homes and smoked out.

The legislator was arrested on Monday after spending the night at Royal Media Services offices in Nairobi. 

Kaguchia was arraigned in court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of peace.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved the charge against the legislator, who is accused of committing the offence contrary to Section 94(1) of the Penal Code.