This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
On Friday morning, MP Moses Kuria was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman at the Royal Media Services premises. The incident occurred on December 8, 2019, during a show where Kuria and the woman, Joyce Wanja, were discussing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Wanja alleged that Kuria attacked her when she confronted him over his remarks during a fundraiser for orphans in Kiambu. She claimed that Kuria had abused women in Kiambu by commenting on their underwear, and that she had hit back at him, prompting him to slap her on the left arm.
Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot had ordered Kuria's release on Ksh 50,000 cash bail on Friday evening, pending the hearing of his application on Monday. However, the police failed to release Kuria, leading to a protest by residents of Gatundu town.
The protesters, who carried twigs and placards painted with demands for Kuria's release, barricaded the main road in the town. They accused the government of flouting a court directive and called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.
After the police dispersed the protesters, the demonstrators burnt tires on the road, resulting in a heavy deployment of armed police officers. The protesters regretted that Kuria's continued detention would cause them suffering, as he was their only hope, given the absence of a working governor in Kiambu.
