MP Salasya decries 'gang-style' arrest, accuses DCI of victimisation

Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has condemned what he terms as the victimisation of innocent Kenyans by security agencies.

Salasya, who is out on Ksh.200,000 cash bail after he was arrested last Friday and charged with hate speech, wants Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to rein in his officers and ensure they follow the law while executing their mandate.

He claimed to have been victimised during his dramatic arrest and detention by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on his way from Isiolo, saying that government agencies should learn to summon those they suspect of wrongdoing instead of arresting them like criminals.

“The office of the IG is given by the Constitution to protect Kenyans from any insecurity issues. So, I am asking IG Kanja to call DCI (Mohamed) Amin so that they don’t misuse their power to frustrate and harass people like me. Sasa ukishika mtoto mdogo kama mimi…” he said.

The MP, who toured Nanyuki in Laikipia County to popularise what he says is his presidential bid ahead of the 2027 elections, also called out security officers for arresting him in a gang-style manner by concealing their faces with masks.

He said officers are attacking people while wearing masks at night, questioning how genuine government agencies are not bold enough to do things in the open.

“If we do something wrong, summon us at DCI headquarters so that when I don’t appear, Kenyans will know that I was summoned and I refused,” stated Salasya.

“Ukishika Mkenya kama jambazi ama muuaji, ni hatia sana mbele ya mwenyezi Mungu. It should be the last thing that has happened because you sent masked people.”

Salasya on Saturday said unknown gunmen, claiming to be DCI officers, attacked his convoy, shot at him before taking him into custody.

In a series of tweets posted on his official X account at around 1pm, the MP asserted that the masked men, about 15 in number, who were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles, intercepted his convoy along the highway after his Isiolo tour.

They allegedly opened fire, deflating the tyres of his vehicle before shortly disarming his security team.