President Ruto disputes claims of ex-MP Keter's abduction, calls it a police arrest

According to the Head of State, police are sometimes forced to take action when summonses to criminal suspects are ignored.

President Ruto spoke against the backdrop of a now-viral video of the former MP being pulled out of his car in the middle of the road and bundled into a waiting pick-up by men who appeared to be police officers.

"You guys said it was an abduction, and now it turns out it was not an abduction, the police have said it was an arrest," President Ruto said. 

"The police must act within the law, but we also must also follow the law,"

President William Ruto on Alfred Keter being abducted: I made a deliberate decision to make sure that the police operate independently. If the police summon Linus Kaikai and Linus Kaikai refuses to go to the police, are the police not entitled to come and look for you? When the… pic.twitter.com/WKiPl1Dm0T

In a media release on Sunday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed the reason for Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter's dramatic daylight 'abduction,' describing it as an arrest for a criminal offense.

The DCI stated that Keter was arrested for "conspiracy to traffic firearms and incitement to violence."

"Contrary to the misinformation circulating on social media on alleged abduction of Hon Alfred Keter by unknown men, this is to confirm that Hon Keter was arrested earlier today by NPS Officers for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Incitement to Violence," the Directorate said. 

DCI refuted claims on social media that Keter was arrested, stating that he was arrested by police and booked at Kamukunji Police Station.

"He was booked at Kamukunji Police Station and later released pending Forensic Analysis of exhibits. Thereafter the file will be forwarded to the ODPP for direction."

DCI warned the public not to speculate on Keter's alleged abduction.

"Police are urging members of the public to refrain from acts of violence, hate speech and malice for sustained peace and security in our beloved country," DCI further said.

This comes after Keter was forced out of his car in Kileleshwa on Sunday, while his wife and children looked on in horror.

Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, later revealed that Keter had been taken to the Kamukunji Police Station.